If your child stands with her feet together, ankles touching and toes facing forward and her knees do not touch, then she is bowlegged. Babies are born bowlegged because of their position in the womb. The appearance of bow legs is more apparent when a child starts walking. Gradually the bones will straighten out and she will no longer look bowlegged by the age of 3. By the time she is 7 or 8 years old, her legs will be at the angle that will persist into adulthood.
 
You should be able to notice an improvement in her condition from being newborn to the age of 2. If her legs still appear bowed by 3 years old, you should consult a doctor. Bowleggedness can be caused by a deficiency in vitamin D (also known as rickets). Your doctor can take blood for testing and vitamin deficiency can be corrected with supplements. A condition known as Blount's disease, which affects the shins can also cause legs to bow. A doctor can examine X-rays to determine the presence of Blount's disease. In rare cases, bow legs are caused by genetic disorders.
 
Your doctor will refer your child to a paediatric orthopaedist for further evaluation and treatment.  Sometimes surgery is needed to treat extreme cases of bowleggedness. Most experts believe that the use of corrective shoes or braces is damaging to physical development.

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