Unilateral outward-turning leg in infancy.

An unreported condition of the legs in infants was found in more than 130 children referred to one hospital from 1973-1979. One hundred of these children were studied. One leg, usually the right, lay in external rotation. Although there was no loss or restriction of movement at the hip joints, in most cases there was a difference in the arc of rotation. Eleven children also had mild hooking of the forefoot on the unaffected side. Hip radiographs were normal in all cases. Obstetric records were reviewed in 70 cases, but no relation was found between presenting position at birth and side of the affected limb. The condition resolved spontaneously in most of the children who were follow up. This condition may cause anxiety to parents and doctors but it seems to be a variant of normal with an excellent prognosis.