RESEARCH PAPER
Comparative prevalence of foot deformities in preschool children from the Visegrad Group (V4) countries: a multicenter cross-sectional study
1
Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
2
University Center for Research and Development in Health Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
3
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Care, University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovakia
4
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Studies, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, the Czech Republic
5
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Studies, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, the Czech Republic
Submission date: 2026-07-27
Final revision date: 2026-08-16
Acceptance date: 2026-09-09
Online publication date: 2026-09-14
Corresponding author
Ewa Puszczalowska-Lizis
Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Al. Tadeusza Rejtana 16C, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Al. Tadeusza Rejtana 16C, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background:
Early detection and monitoring of pediatric foot deformities are crucial for preventing long-term musculoskeletal complications. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of foot deformities in six-year-old children from the Visegrad Group (V4) countries.
Material and methods:
We evaluated 300 six-year-old children from Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, including 50 girls and 50 boys from each country. Foot assessments were performed using a CQ-ST podoscope, and data were analyzed using the chi-square test.
Results:
The majority of children exhibited normal longitudinal arch height (girls: 62-78%; boys: 44-68%), transverse arches (girls: 56-70%; boys: 42-70%), and hallux alignment (girls: 74-94%; boys: 78-94%). The country of residence significantly influenced deformity prevalence (p<0.05). Flatfoot (longitudinal and transverse) and fifth toe varus predominated in Poland. High-arched feet predominated in Slovakia for both sexes and in Czech boys, whereas Czech girls frequently exhibited hallux valgus. Boys’ hallux alignment was independent of the country of residence.
Conclusions:
Country of residence significantly differentiates foot deformity profiles in V4 preschoolers. These regional variations highlight an urgent need for tailored, national preventive and therapeutic programs, focusing on flatfoot in Poland and high-arched feet in Slovakia.
Early detection and monitoring of pediatric foot deformities are crucial for preventing long-term musculoskeletal complications. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of foot deformities in six-year-old children from the Visegrad Group (V4) countries.
Material and methods:
We evaluated 300 six-year-old children from Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, including 50 girls and 50 boys from each country. Foot assessments were performed using a CQ-ST podoscope, and data were analyzed using the chi-square test.
Results:
The majority of children exhibited normal longitudinal arch height (girls: 62-78%; boys: 44-68%), transverse arches (girls: 56-70%; boys: 42-70%), and hallux alignment (girls: 74-94%; boys: 78-94%). The country of residence significantly influenced deformity prevalence (p<0.05). Flatfoot (longitudinal and transverse) and fifth toe varus predominated in Poland. High-arched feet predominated in Slovakia for both sexes and in Czech boys, whereas Czech girls frequently exhibited hallux valgus. Boys’ hallux alignment was independent of the country of residence.
Conclusions:
Country of residence significantly differentiates foot deformity profiles in V4 preschoolers. These regional variations highlight an urgent need for tailored, national preventive and therapeutic programs, focusing on flatfoot in Poland and high-arched feet in Slovakia.
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