Overview
Congenital deformities of fingers refers to a group of conditions where a baby is born with fingers that are shaped, sized, or formed differently than usual. These differences happen during early development in the womb and are present at birth. The term covers a wide range of finger abnormalities, including extra fingers (polydactyly), fused fingers (syndactyly), shortened fingers (brachydactyly), curved fingers (clinodactyly), missing fingers, or fingers that are unusually stiff or bent. Some children have only mild differences that do not affect hand function, while others may have more significant changes that make gripping, pinching, or fine motor tasks more difficult. The causes of congenital finger deformities vary widely. Some are inherited through families and linked to specific genes, while others occur randomly without a clear genetic cause. In some cases, finger deformities are part of a larger syndrome that affects other parts of the body. Diagnosis is usually made at birth or during prenatal ultrasound. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the deformity and may include observation, physical therapy, splinting, or surgery. Pediatric hand surgeons can often improve both the appearance and function of affected fingers. Many children with congenital finger deformities go on to live full, active lives with good hand function, especially when treatment begins early.
Key symptoms:
Extra fingers at birthFingers that are fused or webbed togetherShorter than normal fingersCurved or bent fingersMissing fingers or parts of fingersStiff finger joints that do not bend wellFingers that overlap each otherUnusually small or large fingersDifficulty gripping or holding objectsTrouble with fine motor tasks like buttoning clothesAbnormal fingernailsLimited range of motion in finger jointsUnequal finger lengths
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Congenital deformities of fingers.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Congenital deformities of fingers.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What specific type of finger deformity does my child have, and is it part of a larger syndrome?,Should we pursue genetic testing to understand the cause?,Will my child need surgery, and if so, what is the best age to have it done?,What kind of hand function can we expect after treatment?,Should my child see an occupational therapist, and how often?,Is this condition likely to affect future children we may have?,Are there any activities or precautions we should be aware of as my child grows?
Common questions about Congenital deformities of fingers
What is Congenital deformities of fingers?
Congenital deformities of fingers refers to a group of conditions where a baby is born with fingers that are shaped, sized, or formed differently than usual. These differences happen during early development in the womb and are present at birth. The term covers a wide range of finger abnormalities, including extra fingers (polydactyly), fused fingers (syndactyly), shortened fingers (brachydactyly), curved fingers (clinodactyly), missing fingers, or fingers that are unusually stiff or bent. Some children have only mild differences that do not affect hand function, while others may have more sig
At what age does Congenital deformities of fingers typically begin?
Typical onset of Congenital deformities of fingers is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Congenital deformities of fingers?
4 specialists and care centers treating Congenital deformities of fingers are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.