Webbing of the fingers or toes
Alternative names:
polysyndactyly; syndactyly
Definition:
Syndactyly is the union of two or more fingers or toes that may include the fusion of the bones or fusion of the skin between the fingers (webbing)but may rarely include the fusion of the bones also. Polysyndactyly includes both webbing and extra number of fingers or toes.
Webbing may extend partially up between the digits, frequently just to the first joint or may extend the entire length of the digits.
Considerations:
Syndactyly may appear as a normal finding on an examination. In its normal form, it is most often seen as webbing between the 2nd and 3rd toes. This form is often inherited. In addition syndactyly may be seen as a sign in many different syndromes involving the skull, face, and bones.
Common causes:
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
- de Lange syndrome
- Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome
Note: There may be other causes of webbing of the fingers or toes. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for webbing of the fingers or toes, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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