Clubfoot (talipes equinovarus) is a common orthopaedic malformation that can be accurately diagnosed prenatally. The study was conducted to investigate possible in utero visualization of transient and late‐onset clubfoot. Early (13–16 weeks' gestation) prenatal transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of clubfoot deformity was made in 36 cases during the study period. Only those cases where follow‐up examination revealed different sonographic findings were considered. The results showed that seven cases of transient (as well as relapsing) clubfoot were identified. In 4 of 7 cases, the clubfoot resolved (all after more than 10 min of observation) during the same examination. In the fifth and sixth cases, it initially resolved, later reappearing in follow‐up examinations (20 and 22 weeks' gestation). In the seventh case, the clubfoot persisted for two consecutive examinations (2 weeks apart each) and later disappeared. In addition, six late‐onset (22–24 weeks' gestation) clubfoot cases were identified during the study period. Although infrequent, in utero clubfoot can be both a transient and a late‐onset phenomenon. Over‐ and under‐diagnosis are potential hazards in these situations. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.