Changes in floating-toes one year later in preschool children based on longitudinal data

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of changes in floating-toes one year later in 300 preschool children (161 boys and 139 girls) based on longitudinal data (2008 and 2009). The presence of floating-toes was determined from pictures of the subjects’soles on the contact surface area. Although a significant change was not found in the ratio of children with floating-toes, the number of floating-toes was significantly fewer. A change in the number of floating-toes in children with floating-toes was divided into 3 groups, those that decreased, increased, or did not change. The number of children corresponding to each group was significantly greater in the order of “Decrease”, “No change”, and “Increase” groups for boys. In girls, the “Decrease” and “No change” groups were larger than the “Increase” group. The ratio of children that had fewer floating-toes one year later for each number of floating-toes tended to be higher in children with more floating-toes in both boys and girls. In conclusion, although the ratio of children with floating-toes hardly changes after one year, the number of floating-toes in children with floating-toes tends to decrease and this tendency is more marked in children with more floating-toes.