Webbing of the fingers or toes

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Webbing of the fingers and toes is called syndactyly. It refers to the connection of two or more fingers or toes. Webbing usually only involves a skin connection between the two areas, but in rare cases may involve the connection (fusion) of bones. 

Syndactyly; Polysyndactyly

Syndactyly may be discovered during an examination of an infant or child. In its most common form, it is seen as webbing between the 2nd and 3rd toes. This form is often inherited and is not unusual. Syndactyly can also occur along with other birth defects involving the skull, face, and bones.

The web connections usually run up to the first joint of the finger or toe, but may run the entire length.

"Polysyndactyly" describes both webbing and the presence of an extra number of fingers or toes.

Relatively common causes:

• Hereditary syndactyly
• Down syndrome

Extremely rare causes:

• Apert's syndrome
• Fetal hydantoin effect (mother took hydantoin during pregnancy)
• Carpenter's syndrome
• Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
• Pfeiffer syndrome
• Cornelia de Lange syndrome

Review Date: 05/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.