Health Encyclopedia

Webbing of the fingers or toes

Definition

Webbing of the fingers and toes is called syndactyly. It refers to the connection of two or more fingers or toes. Webbing usually only involves a skin connection between the two areas, but in rare cases may involve the connection (fusion) of bones.

Alternative Names

Syndactyly; Polysyndactyly

Considerations

Syndactyly may be discovered during an examination of an infant or child. In its most common form, it is seen as webbing between the second and third toes. This form is often inherited and is not unusual. Syndactyly can also occur along with other birth defects involving the skull, face, and bones.

The web connections usually run up to the first joint of the finger or toe, but may run the entire length.

"Polysyndactyly" describes both webbing and the presence of an extra number of fingers or toes.

Common Causes

Relatively common causes:

Down syndrome
Hereditary syndactyly

Extremely rare causes:

Apert syndrome
Carpenter syndrome
Cornelia de Lange syndrome
Pfeiffer syndrome
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
Using the medication hydantoin during pregnancy (Fetal hydantoin effect)

Call your health care provider if

This condition is normally discovered at birth and evaluated during the newborn hospital stay.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history. Questions may include:

Which fingers (toes) are involved?
Have any other family members had this problem?
What other symptoms or abnormalities are also present?

An infant with webbing may have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition is based on a family history, medical history, and a physical exam.

The following tests may be done:

Chromosome studies
Lab tests to check for certain proteins (enzymes) and metabolic problems
X-rays

Review Date:11/9/2007
Reviewed By:Deirdre O’Reilly, M.D., M.P.H., Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

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