Symbrachydactyly is a congenital abnormality, characterized by limb anomalies consisting of
brachydactyly
Brachydactyly (Greek βραχύς = "short" plus δάκτυλος = "finger"), is a medical term which literally means "short finger". The shortness is relative to the length of other long bones and other parts of the body. Brachydactyly is an in ...
, cutaneous
syndactyly
Syndactyly is a condition wherein two or more digits are fused together. It occurs normally in some mammals, such as the siamang and diprotodontia, but is an unusual condition in humans. The term is from Greek σύν, ''syn'' 'together' and δάκ ...
and global
hypoplasia
Hypoplasia (from Ancient Greek ὑπo- ''hypo-'' 'under' + πλάσις ''plasis'' 'formation'; adjective form ''hypoplastic'') is underdevelopment or incomplete development of a tissue or organ.surgery
Surgery ''cheirourgikē'' (composed of χείρ, "hand", and ἔργον, "work"), via la, chirurgiae, meaning "hand work". is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a person to investigate or treat a pat ...
or a routine of regularly stretching the fingers.
Cause
The cause of symbrachydactyly is unknown. One possible cause might be an interruption of the blood supply to the developing arm at four to six weeks of pregnancy. There is no link to anything the mother did or did not do during pregnancy. There is also no increased risk of having another child with the same condition or that the child will pass the condition on to his or her children.
[{{cite web , date=8 July 2010 , title=What causes symbrachydactyly? , url=http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/hand_surgery_symbrachydactyly_treatment_options/hand_surgery_symbrachydactyly_treatment_options_families.html#whatcauses , accessdate=14 May 2011]
Treatment
Most children with symbrachydactyly have excellent function in daily activities. Due to the length of their arm, they do not qualify for most artificial limbs. However, some adaptive prosthetics and equipment for sports and leisure activities may be helpful when the child is older. Children who demonstrate some functional movement in their remaining fingers and within the palm are evaluated for possible surgery such as toe transfers.
[Symbrachydactyly]
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See also
* Hypodactylia
* Poland anomaly
References
External links
Treatment options for symbrachydactyly
Congenital disorders of musculoskeletal system