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The word may sound like a bad word, right? But the occurrence is more common than we think. Thousands of babies worldwide are born with polydactyly or clarifying the fact, being born with extra fingers on their feet or hands. But after all, why does this happen?
Polydactyly is considered an anomaly that affects the abnormal amount of fingers and toes. Where the baby, instead of being born with 5 fingers in each hand and foot, is born with a higher number, which can be one or more, considering extra fingers. The extra fingers can appear fully developed or simply as a fleshy protrusion. There are three types of polydactyly, the post-axial, the pre-axial and the centralthat configure the place where the extra finger formed. It can occur in the part pointed inward of the body, as outward or in the central part of the members between the index, middle and ring finger. The anomaly occurs due to a genetic mutation caused by an autosomal dominant allele. The autosomal allele is one that determines the genetic inheritances passed on by the father or mother or by both. So if the father has polydactyly there is a 50% chance that the child will be born with the anomaly too, if the father and mother have the chances, they will increase to 100%.
The diagnosis of polydactyly can be made already in pregnancy through an ultrasound examination or after birth on visual inspection . After birth, a radiographic examination may be requested to assess the internal structures of the extra finger. The fingers considered too much can function normally or simply have no mobility at all.
Is there a treatment for polydactyly?
Polydactyly itself does not pose any risk to the child’s health, but it can cause some discomfort or embarrassment due to the astonishment of people in general. That is why it is advised to carry out the repair surgery and remove the extra fingers . The procedure is considered smooth and without post-surgical complications. In the case of fingers considered rudimentary, which have no bones and no mobility, they can already be removed soon after the baby is born. Those who have bones to be removed should receive more detailed monitoring by the specialist and are usually indicated for children over 3 years of age.
The most astonishing case recorded in the world to date is that of a Japanese baby born with 16 toes and 15 fingers. Each baby can be born with a different type of polydactyly as well as the number of fingers and different location. Therefore, the treatment for each individual is unique and must be accompanied by a specialist to analyze the condition and indicate appropriate treatment.
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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
