Polydactyly

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Polydactyly - an infant's hand

Extra digits; Supernumerary digits

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.

This condition is normally discovered at birth and evaluated during the newborn hospital stay.

The doctor will take a medical history and perform a  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 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 done to confirm 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.

Prenatal diagnosis may involve ultrasound or more-advanced embryofetoscopy during the first trimester.

Review Date: 03/13/2006
Reviewed By: Lamya Alarif, Ph.D., H.C.L.D., Immunology and Genetics Associates, McLean, VA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.