Polydactyly is a condition in which a person is born with one or more extra fingers on their hands or feet. This is a congenital disorder. The extra finger can appear as a full finger or as a smaller, undeveloped finger.

Extra fingers on the hands or feet may not have a significant impact on their functionality. Therefore, a person with polydactyly may not require medical treatment. However, surgical procedures are sometimes recommended for optimal hand or foot function or aesthetics.

Characteristics of polydactyly

The extra fingers in polydactyly can range in size, structure, and location. Here are some common features of polydactyly extra fingers:

Structure of polydactyly

• Formation of an extra finger made up of skin and soft tissue without involving bone
• Additional finger formation consists of skin, soft tissue, and bone, but no joints
• Formation of an extra finger consisting of a complete structure that includes skin, soft tissue, bone, and joints

Location of the extra finger

An extra finger is commonly found on the side of the little finger, on the side of the thumb, or in the middle of the hand (middle finger).

Read more: Three Chromosomal Abnormalities That Cause Miscarriages In The First Trimester

Causes of polydactyly

Polydactyly is often caused by genetic disorders that affect body development, such as trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome). Furthermore, several factors can influence the formation of extra fingers in polydactyly, including:

• Exposure to certain chemicals or infections during pregnancy that affect embryonic development
• Mutations or changes in genes that affect the formation of extra fingers
• A combination of genetic and environmental factors in certain environments can trigger and increase the risk of developing polydactyly

The exact cause of polydactyly in each person can vary. Genetic testing and counseling for extra fingers are required to determine the cause, risk factors, and future treatment and care recommendations.

Also read: Anodontia, A Rare Disorder That Causes No Teeth

Treatment and care of polydactyly

The treatment of polydactyly is determined by the complexity of the extra finger formation, its structure, and location. If the extra finger is made up entirely of skin and soft tissue, the surgical procedure to remove it is relatively simple. The extra finger will be cut or tied where it meets the hand, and it will shrink or disappear within a few weeks.

A fully developed extra finger, on the other hand, requires more complicated surgery, sometimes requiring multiple operations. Following surgery, the child will be required to wear a bandage or cast for several weeks and receive recovery treatment to address scarring, stiffness, and swelling.

Polydactyly is not a preventable condition. However, to lower the risk of polydactyly, you should closely monitor your pregnancy, avoid alcoholic beverages, smoking and cigarette smoke exposure during pregnancy, and refrain from using illegal drugs.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

Looking for more information about other diseases? Click here!