Overview
Postaxial polydactyly of fingers is a condition where a baby is born with one or more extra fingers on the outer side (pinky side) of the hand. The term 'postaxial' refers to the little finger side of the hand, as opposed to the thumb side. This is one of the most common birth differences affecting the hands. The extra finger can range from a small, soft nub of tissue (sometimes called a 'nubbin') to a fully formed finger with bones, joints, and a nail. It can occur on one or both hands. This condition is often noticed right at birth. In many cases, postaxial polydactyly of the fingers occurs on its own (isolated) and does not cause other health problems. However, it can sometimes be part of a larger genetic syndrome that affects other parts of the body. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the extra finger, and outcomes are generally very good. For small, soft tissue nubbins, a simple procedure may be done shortly after birth. For more complex extra fingers with bone, a more detailed surgery may be planned during the first year or two of life. Note: This Orphanet entry is marked as 'OBSOLETE,' meaning it may have been reclassified or merged into a broader category of polydactyly in current medical databases.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Extra finger on the pinky side of the handSmall skin tag or nubbin on the outer edge of the handFully formed extra finger with bones and a nailExtra finger that may or may not move on its ownWider than normal hand appearancePossible difficulty with grip or fine motor skills if untreated
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 OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of fingers.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of fingers.
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 OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of fingers.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my child's extra finger an isolated finding, or could it be part of a genetic syndrome?,Does the extra finger contain bones, and how does that affect the treatment plan?,What type of surgery is recommended, and at what age should it be done?,What are the risks and expected outcomes of the surgery?,Should my child have genetic testing?,Will my child need occupational therapy after surgery?,What is the chance that future children could also have this condition?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of fingers
What is OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of fingers?
Postaxial polydactyly of fingers is a condition where a baby is born with one or more extra fingers on the outer side (pinky side) of the hand. The term 'postaxial' refers to the little finger side of the hand, as opposed to the thumb side. This is one of the most common birth differences affecting the hands. The extra finger can range from a small, soft nub of tissue (sometimes called a 'nubbin') to a fully formed finger with bones, joints, and a nail. It can occur on one or both hands. This condition is often noticed right at birth. In many cases, postaxial polydactyly of the fingers occurs
At what age does OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of fingers typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of fingers is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.