Does your baby have a congenital hand difference? Let's talk about this (Congenital Hand Differences)

How would a mother or father feel if they looked lovingly at their newborn baby's tiny hand and noticed a slight difference in it? It can be shocking, sad, and even angry. It's normal to wonder, 'Why did this happen to our baby?' But don't worry. Today we're talking about these congenital hand differences. We hope this information will bring you some comfort.

What is this congenital hand difference?

Simply put, this means that the shape of your baby's hand is slightly different from the shape of a normal hand. The word "congenital" means "present at birth." This means that this difference occurs while the baby is still growing in the womb.

It's normal for parents to feel sad, angry, and guilty when they see something like this. You may wonder, "Did something go wrong with me during pregnancy?" You may also be angry that even the doctors couldn't have known this earlier.

What are the main types of these changes?

Congenital hand deformities can be divided into several main categories. When categorized this way, it is much easier to understand the condition.

Commonly seen specific types

Now let's talk about some of the more common specific conditions that fall under these main categories.

Fingers sticking together (Syndactyly)

This is the most common congenital hand deformity. In Greek, "syn" means "together" and "daktylos" means "finger." Simply put, this is when a child's fingers are stuck together. Sometimes, only the skin between two fingers is connected. We call this a 'simple' condition. Other times, the bones, nerves, and blood vessels in the fingers are also connected. This is a 'complex' condition.

Having extra fingers (Polydactyly)

"Poly" means "many." This means that the child has more than five fingers on their hand. This extra finger may be attached only by skin or nerves. Other times, it may have parts like a normal finger or be attached to an extra bone in the hand.

There are two main types of this too:

• Ulnar Polydactyly: This is the most common type. Here, the extra digit develops on the side of the little finger, the side that connects to the larger of the two bones in our hand, the `(ulna)` bone.
• Radial Polydactyly: In this, the extra digit develops on the side of the thumb. That is, on the side of the `(radius)` bone. Sometimes there can be multiple thumbs on one hand.

Radial Club Hand

In this condition, the growth of the thumb side of the hand, that is, the `(radius)` bone, is stunted. As a result, the lower part of the hand becomes short, bent inward, and takes on a shape similar to the letter "J". The thumb may be very small or completely absent. The short hand may make it difficult for the child to do tasks using both hands.

Cleft Hand

This is when one or more of the middle fingers of the child's hand are missing. This results in a "V"-shaped gap, or cleft, in the palm. This condition is sometimes accompanied by other conditions such as syndactyly or polydactyly.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

A baby's hands and fingers develop between the fourth and sixth weeks of pregnancy. Any disruption during this very sensitive period can cause these changes. There are two main factors that affect this.

Genetic factors

Genes provide instructions for the growth and function of every cell in our body. These genes are passed down from parents to children. Sometimes these genes can change (mutations) spontaneously. In the case of hand changes, these genetic changes often occur spontaneously without any apparent cause. They are very rare and are passed down from generation to generation.

Environmental factors

This can be affected by certain infections the mother gets during pregnancy and certain medications she takes. For example, the anti-nausea drug thalidomide and some chemotherapy drugs for cancer. These factors can damage healthy developing tissues and alter the growth process.

While some hand variations can be explained by these factors, in many cases no specific cause can be found.

Are there any complications that can occur due to this condition?

Depending on the nature and severity of the hand deformity, some children can adapt to it and function without any difficulty. However, some children may experience some difficulties if left untreated.

• Developmental delays.
• Difficulty doing one's own work and performing daily activities.
• Limitations in participating in some sports and other activities.
• Psychological and social problems (feelings of being isolated from others, feeling ashamed, etc.).

What treatment options are there?

Because every child is unique, treatment is determined based on the child's needs. The main goal of treatment is to increase the amount of work the child can do with that hand and make daily life easier. Another goal is to help the child build self-esteem by improving the appearance of the hand to some extent.

For example, in the case of syndactyly, the fingers are usually separated surgically. In the case of polydactyly, the extra fingers are removed surgically and the remaining fingers are reattached.

How can you, as a parent, help your child?

As a parent of a child with this condition, there are many things you can do. Your support is invaluable to your child.

• Talk to your doctor: Talk to your doctor about all your concerns and fears. Don't keep anything to yourself.
• Ask about support groups: Ask your doctor about support groups with other parents and children who have had similar experiences. Talking to such people can be a great source of strength for you and your child.
• Encourage your child: As your child grows, help them understand that they are different. Tell them that it is not their fault and that there are many things they can do about it.

Questions to ask your doctor

When you visit your doctor, you can ask questions like these:

• What type of hand deformity does my child have?
• What is the best treatment method you recommend?
• Will my child be able to do normal activities like other children?
• How can I help my child adjust to this change?

Children adapt to these things faster than you think. Their world is so amazing. Your love, support, and positive attitude are the best medicine a child can receive.