Polydactyly By: Jessica Howland

1. Polydactyly By: Jessica Howland

2. Polydactyly is a condition that is characterized by the presence of more than five digits on a hand or foot. Other names for this disease are ExtraDigits and Supernumerary Digits. This disease can be isolated, meaning it isn’t caused by other diseases, or it can be a symptom of another disease, such as Carpenter’s Syndrome.

3. African Americans contract this disease more than any other race, though this occurrence is not linked to genetic diseases in most cases. Asians also contract this disease more often but often with Asians, other abnormalities accompany this disease, such as Down’s syndrome.

4. Polydactyly is located on one of the short legs of chromosome seven. Since Polydactyly is a dominantly expressivegene, if one parent has Polydactyly, then there is a fifty-fifty chance that the child will have it too. This is not the sex determining chromosome, so both males and females have a equal chance of obtaining this disease. This condition stemsfrom a mutation in the DNA that causes the defect. E = Polydactyly e = normal

5. Polydactyly is not a deadly disease, and will not shorten your lifespan. Although the possession of an extra digit on your hand or foot is not a life threatening, you should have it evaluated by your family doctor. It can be an indicator of genetic problems or diseases that haven’t cropped up yet, diseases that can be very serious.

6. You can get tested for this disorder. People who have this disorder are born with it so it is immediately clear if the child has Polydactyly. To see if a pregnant woman will give birth to a child with this disorder, a diagnosis can be made during the pregnancy by sonograms and, in cases where it is more difficult to see, use a technique known as Embryofetoscopy. Diagnosis of this condition is usually done by compiling test results and family medical histories. Chromosome studies aid significantly in a determination of Polydactyly. Treatment of this disorder is as simple as removing the extra finger or toe. In the cases were there aren’t any bones in the digit, a string is tied tightly around it and eventually it will fall off. In the cases where there is a bone in the extra digit or the digit is fully functional the treatment includes a simple surgery to remove the extra finger or toe.

7. There are support groups for the people that have Polydactyly. For example, the National Organization of Rare Disorders(NORD) has partnered with Inspire.com so that patients and their families of rare diseases can communicate with each other.

8. Other Facts -Pre-Axial Polydactyly is more likely to occur with additional abnormalities, such as the fusion of the fingers or toes. ( Example shown in picture above.) -When the extra digits are located on the small digit side of the hand or foot it is called Post-Axial Polydactyly. When the extra digits are located on the thumb/big toe side of the hand/foot it is called Pre-Axial Polydactyly. -About 20%-25% of Polydactyly cases occur as a feature of a larger genetic condition.

9. Works Cited Rakoczy, Christy. "What Causes Polydactyl?" Answers.yourdictionary.com – Answers to Questions. Web. 22 Jan. 2011. <http://answers.yourdictionary.com/medical/what-causes polydactyly.html>. GARD. "Polydactyly." NIH Office of Rare Diseases Research (ORDR). Web. 22 Jan. 2011. <http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Condition/4410/Polydactyly.aspx>. Ron Jonk-. "Polydactyly - Overview." University of Maryland Medical Center | Home. Web. 22 Jan. 2011. <http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003176.htm>. "Extra Digits." Inherited Health. AccessDNA. Web. 23 Jan. 2011. <http://inheritedhealth.com/condition/Extra_Digits/303>.