0
Polydactyly is a condition in which a person has more than five fingers per hand or five toes per foot.
Alternative NamesExtra digits; Supernumerary digits
ConsiderationsHaving an abnormal number of digits (6 or more) can occur on its own, without any other symptoms or disease. Polydactyly may be passed down (inherited) in families. This trait involves only one gene that can cause several variations.
African Americans, more than other ethnic groups, can inherit a 6th finger. In most cases, this is not caused by a genetic disease.
Polydactyly can also occur with some genetic diseases.
Extra digits may be poorly developed and attached by a small stalk (generally on the little finger side of the hand). Or, they may be well-formed and may even function. Poorly formed digits are usually removed. Simply tying a tight string around the stalk can cause it to fall off in time if there are no bones in the digit.
Larger digits may need surgery to be removed. The doctor should ask the parents whether there was polydactyly at birth, because a person may not know they have it.
Common Causes- Asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy
- Carpenter syndrome
- Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (chondroectodermal dysplasia)
- Familial polydactyly
- Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome
- Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome
- Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
- Trisomy 13
Home care may be needed after surgery to remove an extra digit. For example, you will need to check the surgical area to make sure that it is healing correctly and to change the dressing.
Call your health care provider ifThis condition is normally discovered at birth and evaluated during the newborn's hospital stay.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe doctor will diagnose the condition based on a family history, medical history, and physical examination.
Medical history questions may include:
- Have any other family members been born with extra fingers or toes?
- Is there a known family history of any of the disorders linked to polydactyly?
- Are there any other symptoms or problems?
Tests used to diagnose the condition:
- Chromosome studies
- Enzymetests
- X-rays
- Metabolic studies
After seeing your health care provider, you may want to add a note to your personal medical record about polydactyly, its diagnosis, and treatment.
During pregnancy, this condition may be diagnosed with ultrasound or a more advanced test called embryofetoscopy during the first three months (trimester).
ReferencesHosalkar HS, Spiegel DA, Davidson RS. Toe deformities. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds.Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 666.10. Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/07/2011
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
What else can I help you with?
If both parents are heterozygous for polydactyly what percentage of offspring will exhibit polydactyly?
There is a 25% chance that the offspring will exhibit polydactyly if both parents are heterozygous for the trait.
How is Polydactyly treated?
Polydactyly can be corrected by surgical removal of the extra digit or partial digit
What are polydactyly and syndactyly?
Polydactyly is the term for the presence of extra fingers. Syndactyly is the term for fused fingers.
When does polydactyly occur?
Polydactyly occurs during fetal development, typically when a baby is still in the womb. It is a congenital condition where a baby is born with extra fingers or toes. Polydactyly can be detected through prenatal ultrasound screening in some cases.
Is there a way to detect a carrier of polydactyly?
Polydactyly can be diagnosed by external observation, x ray, and fetal sonogram
Who discovered polydactyly?
Tyler Steven Hayden discovered polydactyly.
Is Polydactyly autosomal or sex-linked?
Polydactyly is typically autosomal, meaning it is not linked to the sex chromosomes. However, in some rare cases, polydactyly can be part of a sex-linked genetic disorder.
Can scans cause polydactyly?
No. Polydactyly is purely an autosomal dominant genetic disorder and cannot be caused by any environmental stress.
Are cases of polydactyly always genetic?
Cases of polydactyly can be either genetic or occur sporadically. Genetic polydactyly is inherited and can be passed down in families, while sporadic polydactyly may result from random genetic mutations or other factors.
How is polydactyly prevented?
There is no known prevention
Is the presence of a sixth digit?
polydactyly
What Type Of Mutation is Polydactyly?
Polydactyly is a type of genetic mutation that results in individuals being born with extra fingers or toes. It is usually an inherited trait, although it can also occur spontaneously. Polydactyly is considered a rare condition.
