Webbing of the fingers or toes

Webbing (syndactyly) refers to the union of two or more fingers or toes, which usually only involves a skin connection between the two, but may rarely also include fusion of bones in the affected digits.

Webbing may extend partially up between the digits, frequently just to the first joint, or may extend the entire length of the digits. "Polysyndactyly" describes both webbing and the presence of an extra number of fingers or toes.

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 as part of a pattern of other congenital (present from birth) defects involving the skull, face, and bones.

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

Email this page  Printer friendly  Bookmark this page