Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Skeletal limb abnormalities

Table of Contents

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if you have any concerns about limb length or appearance.


What to expect at your health care provider's office

An infant with limb abnormalities generally has other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition or give a clue as to the cause of the abnormality. Diagnosis of that condition is based on a family history, medical history, and thorough physical evaluation.

Medical history questions may include:

  • Does anyone in your family have skeletal abnormalities?
  • Were there any problems during pregnancy?
  • What drugs or medications were taken during the pregnancy?
  • What other symptoms or abnormalities are present?

Laboratory studies such as chromosome studies, enzyme assays, x-rays, and metabolic studies may be done to confirm a suspected disorder.


Review Date: 11/12/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)