What is the recommended management for an 18-month-old girl presenting with intoeing and normal ROM?

• A. Splinting at night
• B. Parent education
• C. MRI and bone scan
• D. Surgical correction

Answer: (B)

The recommended management for an 18-month-old girl presenting with intoeing and normal range of motion is parent education. Intoeing is a common finding in young children and is often attributed to variations in hip or foot structure, such as femoral anteversion or tibial torsion, which can resolve on their own as the child grows.

At this age, intoeing typically does not pose significant functional issues as long as the child exhibits normal developmental milestones and does not have associated pain or functional limitations. Educating parents about the natural history of this condition helps them understand that it is usually a benign and self-limiting problem. Reassuring parents that most children outgrow intoeing often alleviates concerns and encourages normal activity without the need for unnecessary interventions.

Other management strategies like splinting at night, imaging studies such as MRI or bone scans, and surgical correction are not indicated in this scenario due to the absence of significant symptoms or structural abnormalities that would warrant further intervention. These approaches are typically reserved for more significant cases, where there are functional limitations or persistent symptoms that do not improve over time. By focusing on parental education, healthcare providers can ensure that families have realistic expectations and support the child's normal growth and development.