An answer from Ponseti about when to cast premature baby

June 11, 2004

Dear parents and paretnts to be.

I attach her a letter we got from Dr. Ponseti about the timing of

starting treatment in premature babies. I hope this info will help

someone in the future…

Unfortunately I don't have much time to surf the web lately and

comment about some posts.

Best to you all

Idit, mom to Oshri, 9 month. BL ClubFoot, heavy DBB for 16/24 hours.

photos click on the leftist link on the top frame.

Subject: premature baby with CL

Dear Joyce Roller and Dr. Ponseti.

We are writing to you on behalf of good friends.

Yesterday, a beautiful premature baby girl was born to our friends.

She was born at week 29 and she is weighting 1350gm. The infant is

currently breathing without machine assistance. She has Clubfoot in

one foot.

We would like to ask:

1. When will it be ideal to start the casting?

2. Are there special instructions for future treatment, like the

timing of Tenotomy (considering that she is a premature baby)?

Wearing shoes?

With best regards,

Yours,

June 11, 2004

There is no rush to start the clubfoot treatment. The baby should

be allowed to gain weight and for the family to make certain she has

no other health problems. The skin of premature infants is very

tender and therefore cast application must be done very carefully to

avoid pressure sores. After the deformity is corrected by

manipulation and casting and it is time to apply the brace, often it

is hard to find shoes small enough for very tiny babies. The doctor

who is to treat her clubfoot will have a better idea of when to

start treatment, but even if he waits until what would have been her

full term delivery date to start, the result will not be jeopardized.

Please give the family my best regards and congratulations on the

birth of their daughter.

I.V. Ponseti, M.D.

Recommended Posts