Profile of congenital transverse deficiencies among cases of congenital orthopaedic anomalies.

The authors showed the data of congenital amputation in 36 cases among the physically handicapped individuals (who attended a district level hospital for the purpose of obtaining a handicap certificate) during the period from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2000. Out of 3550 individuals, we found 612 with congenital orthopaedic anomalies, which accounted for 17.2%. Of these 612 individuals, we noted 36 cases with congenital amputation (amputation through digits and toes were not included). Both unilateral and bilateral congenital amputations were much more common in the upper extremity as compared to lower extremity. Not a single case of simultaneous upper and lower extremity involvement was seen. The most common transverse deficiency in the upper limb was through the forearm, and in the lower limb it was through the foot. Congenital amputation was common in males with a gender ratio of 3.5:1. Left limb involvement was twice as much as right limb involvement, and it was common in both sexes. Bilateral limb involvement was seen only in males.