Definition
Syndactyly is a congenital malformation characterized by the fusion of two or more fingers or toes .
The welding of the fingers may be limited to skin and soft tissues or may also affect the bone component. Syndactyly may therefore be partial or total, membranous (webbed fingers) or tight (narrow fusion to the distal margin). Furthermore, it can be associated with other malformative anomalies, such as brachydactyly (excessive shortness of the fingers) or polydactyly (presence of a supernumerary finger).
Syndactyly can manifest itself in an isolated form; however, in about half of the cases it is hereditary. It is found, for example, in some children with deletion of the terminal portion of the short arm of chromosome 5 (deletion 5p or "Cri du Chat" syndrome) and in some forms of osteopetrosis. In addition, congenital fusion of the fingers can be part of complex malformative syndromes, as in the case of Apert syndrome and VATER / VACTERL syndrome.
A very early intervention (18-36 months) allows the defect to be corrected surgically and allows the child a correct use of the hand or foot.
Possible Causes * of Syndactyly
- osteopetrosis
- Feto-alcohol syndrome
