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Polydactyly - an infant's hand
Polydactyly - an infant's hand

Polydactyly
Definition:
Polydactyly is having more than 5 fingers or toes.

Alternative Names:
Extra digits; Supernumerary digits

Considerations:

Abnormal numbers of digits (6 or more) can occur as an isolated, that is to say normal, finding. Polydactyly may occur in families as a dominantly inherited trait. African Americans more commonly inherit a 6th finger as a dominant trait, than other ethnic groups. In the majority of cases, this is normal and does not indicate any genetic disease.

Polydactyly can occur in conjunction with some genetic diseases.

Extra digits may be extremely rudimentary and attached by a small stalk (generally on the little finger side of the hand) or fairly well-formed and even functional. Rudimentary digits are generally removed. Simply tying a tight string around the stalk can cause it to fall off in time.

Larger digits may require surgery to be removed. Removal of these rudimentary digits means that careful questioning of parents must be done regarding whether there was polydactyly at birth because a person may not ever know they had it.
Common Causes:
Home Care:
Home care may be required if surgery is used to remove an extra digit. For example, inspection of the incision to make sure that appropriate healing is taking place and to change the dressing.
Call your health care provider if:
This condition is normally discovered at birth and evaluated during the newborn hospital stay.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting polydactyly in detail 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 that can be associated with polydactyly?
  • What other symptoms or abnormalities are also present?
Physical examination:
An infant with polydactyly may have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition will be based on a family history, medical history, and thorough physical evaluation.

Diagnostic tests:
Laboratory studies such as chromosome studies, enzyme assays, X-rays, and metabolic studies may be ordered to confirm the presence of a suspected disorder.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a note to your personal medical record indicating that polydactyly was present, any diagnosis related to it, and any treatment done.
Review Date: 1/4/2002
Reviewed By: David G. Brooks, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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