As a mother, you may be a little worried if you notice that your newborn baby has two or more fingers or toes stuck together. This condition is medically known as `(Syndactyly)` or simply ``fingers stuck together'' in Sinhala. This is a relatively common birth defect seen among newborn babies. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this without panicking.
What is syndactyly?
Simply put, ``(Syndactyly)`` is a condition in which two or more fingers or toes of a baby's hand or foot are joined together by skin or sometimes bone, like a web. This is a condition that is often seen in babies' hands and feet and is often diagnosed at birth .
Your doctor or midwife will likely diagnose this condition as soon as your baby is born. How you treat it will depend on which of your baby's toes are fused and how much they are fused.
What is the difference between `(Syndactyly)` and `(Polydactyly)`?
When you hear these two words, you might think they're the same thing. But there's a slight difference between the two.
- Syndactyly means that the fingers are glued together, as we speak.
- Polydactyly means that a baby has an extra finger or toes on their hand or foot.
Sometimes these two conditions can occur together, meaning that a baby can be born with extra fingers while the fingers are fused together. This is called ``Polysyndactyly''.
But the most important thing is that all three of these conditions can usually be identified at birth and, if treated at the appropriate time, can be cured without long-term effects on the baby .
Who is most affected by this situation?
This condition, called ``Syndactyly'', can occur in any newborn baby. However, some studies have found that:
- This condition is about twice as common among male babies as among female babies.
- It is seen slightly more among some ethnic groups than others.
If someone in your family, such as your parents, grandparents, siblings, or anyone else who was born with fingers fused together like this, or if there are genetic disorders in the family, there may be a chance that your baby will also develop this condition.
But remember, just because a baby has syndactyly doesn't mean they necessarily have other developmental problems or diseases.
How common is `(Syndactyly)`?
According to statistics, about one in 2,000 babies born each year will have some form of syndactyly. It is more common in the toes than the fingers.
Most of the time, about 50% of the time, this condition is seen in both hands or both feet (bilaterally).
Although this is one of the birth defects, overall these are relatively rare conditions. If you have any concerns about your baby having this condition, it's best to talk to a doctor.
How does this condition affect my baby's body?
If a baby's fingers are stuck together, especially the fingers on the hands, if left untreated, it can be a bit difficult for the baby to use those fingers and perform daily tasks as they grow. Just think, if the fingers on the hands can't move freely, it will affect things like holding something and writing, right?
But most of the time, the condition `(Syndactyly)` is treated when the baby is about a year old, which means at a very young age . So, when the baby grows up, he may not even remember that he had it. And it may not affect the function of his hand or foot at all.
However, if a baby is diagnosed with another genetic disorder or other birth defect along with syndactyly, those conditions can have a long-term impact on the baby's growth and development.
What are the symptoms of `(Syndactyly)`?
The only symptom of `(Syndactyly)` is that when a baby is born, two or more fingers or toes are fused together and visible . How the baby's fingers are fused together can vary depending on the type of `(Syndactyly)` he or she has.
What are the types of `(Syndactyly)`?
Your doctor may use certain words to describe this condition in your baby's fingers. The type of syndactyly your baby has depends on which fingers are affected and how much of the finger is involved in the adhesion.
- Simple syndactyly: This means that the fingers are joined together only by skin , as if there is a thin membrane between the fingers.
- Complex syndactyly: In this case, in addition to the skin, the baby's fingers may also have bones, nerves, and blood vessels fused together . This is a little rarer than simple syndactyly.
In addition, the baby is classified as having complete or incomplete syndactyly .
- Complete syndactyly: This means that the fingers are fused together from the base of the finger to the nail.
- Incomplete syndactyly: In this, only part of the finger is fused , not the entire finger.
Don't panic when you hear these words. These are words that doctors use. No matter what type your baby has, the doctor will explain to you how to treat it.
What are the causes of `(Syndactyly)`?
Syndactyly occurs when a baby's genes are altered or disrupted while they are developing in the womb. Genes are, simply put, the biological blueprints passed down from parents to children, which instruct every cell in the body to grow and function.
If something affects these genes as the baby develops, that is, if there is a disruption, it can cause certain changes in the baby's body. Some of the changes are things we never even see. But sometimes it can also cause birth defects like `(Syndactyly)`.
If the genes that control the development of the baby's arms, legs, and hands are affected, he or she may be born with syndactyly. These genes can be affected by genetic disorders , as well as environmental factors (things that happen to you or those around you during pregnancy).
Some of the main genetic diseases that can cause syndactyly are:
- `Down syndrome`
- `Apert syndrome`
- `Poland syndrome`
Is `(Syndactyly)` a dominant or recessive trait?
Studies have found that syndactyly is a dominant genetic trait . This means that if one of the parents has the gene for it, their children are more likely to have the condition.
How to recognize `(Syndactyly)`?
Your doctor will diagnose syndactyly as soon as your baby is born. He or she will look for any fused fingers or toes and determine what type of syndactyly it is.
What tests are used to diagnose `(Syndactyly)`?
Usually, no special tests are needed to diagnose `(Syndactyly).` The baby's fingers and toes are clearly visible . In fact, sometimes a doctor can diagnose this condition even before the baby is born, even with an ``ultrasound`` test done during pregnancy.
However, before treating syndactyly, it may be necessary to take an X-ray of the baby's hand or foot. This can help to see exactly how the bones inside are connected.
Genetic testing
If someone in your family has a genetic condition, genetic counseling can help you decide if you should have genetic testing. This can check for a variety of problems, including genetic mutations that cause syndactyly.
In most cases, being a carrier of a genetic mutation does not necessarily mean that your children will develop a genetic disease. A genetic counselor can explain your risk and tell you what steps you can take to protect your health, or to reduce the risk of passing on certain genetic problems to your children.
How is Syndactyly treated?
Syndactyly is treated by surgically separating the fingers that are fused together . Most babies have this surgery when they are about a year old .
A surgeon separates the baby's fused fingers (and possibly the bones and other tissues that are fused together). Usually, a skin graft , or a piece of skin taken from another part of the baby's body, is used to cover the separated fingers.
After surgery, your baby may need to wear a splint or cast to support the separated fingers or toes. They may also need some physical therapy to help regain strength and function in the arm or leg after surgery.
Your doctor or surgeon will explain to you everything from what kind of surgery your baby will need to have and what you need to do after separating the fused fingers.
Non-surgical treatment for syndactyly
Some babies, especially those with very mild syndactyly in the toes, may never need surgery . But this is a decision your doctor will make.
It is very rare for the fingers to not require surgery, because anything that limits the movement of the fingers affects the function of the baby's entire hand.
How long does it take to recover from `(Syndactyly)` treatment?
This really depends on what kind of surgery your baby has. Generally speaking, the recovery time from a syndactyly surgery is short and the recovery is quick . Your doctor or surgeon will give you instructions on how to care for your baby's hand or foot after the separation.
Can Syndactyly be prevented?
We cannot completely prevent genetic conditions like `(Syndactyly)` from developing during pregnancy. However, `(Syndactyly)` and other genetic conditions have been found to be associated with certain environmental factors. Therefore, it is important to avoid these things during pregnancy:
- Drinking alcohol.
- Smoking or using tobacco products.
- Illegal drug use.
Talk to your doctor about what you should not eat or drink during pregnancy.
What should I expect if my baby has `(Syndactyly)`?
You should expect your baby to make a full recovery after the surgery to separate their fused fingers . No matter what type of syndactyly your baby has, the surgery to correct it will not affect their future growth or development. In fact, the surgery will help them grow well without the long-term effects of being born with fused fingers.
However, if your baby's syndactyly is caused by (or is diagnosed with) another birth defect or genetic condition, your baby may need different types of treatment or care. Talk to your doctor about this.
What time should I see my doctor?
After your baby's surgery, if you notice any changes in their hand or foot, see a doctor. Especially if your baby's separated fingers have any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away:
- Bleeding
- Discoloration (e.g. turning blue, black)
- Swelling
- Discharge or leaking fluid
- If your baby seems to be in pain
What questions should I ask my doctor?
Knowing something like this can cause you a lot of questions. Don't forget to ask your doctor these things:
- What type of syndactyly does my baby have?
- Does he have any other genetic conditions?
- When should you separate your baby's fingers?
- How should I take care of his/her arm/leg after the surgery?
Take-Home Message
It can be a shock to hear that your baby has a birth defect. It's very common. But syndactyly, even in complex cases, is a treatable condition . Your baby will recover quickly after surgery to separate their fingers and toes, and it won't affect their ability to use their arms or legs in the future. In fact, this treatment can help them grow and develop well without any long-term side effects.
Talk to your doctor about genetic conditions and ask if you need to get tested. They can help you with things you need to know before your baby is born. The most important thing is to not panic and follow the doctor's instructions.
` Syndactyly, finger fusion, birth defects, baby's health, surgery, genetic diseases, limb development
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