![slightly webbed fingers slightly webbed fingers](http://latham.dropbear.id.au/frogs/burrowsm.jpg)
The type of brachydactyly obviously matters as some types will cause finger deviation, some an isolated shortness of the digits and some a combination. Eventually, we may be able to “fix” the problem, but the science is simply not there yet.īrachydactyly is typically a condition that affects the appearance of the hand more than the functional ability of the hand. We actually know where the problem is in the human genome but, as of now, we can’t do anything about it. And last, many of the genes associated with brachydactyly have been identified.
So, in most cases, a parent will have brachydactyly which obviously helps in understanding the abnormality. Second, it is most commonly passed in an autosomal dominant fashion (50% chance of passing it on to your children). This means that for most people, the short fingers are the only issue- there are not other conditions to worry about. First, brachydactyly can be isolated or can be part of a larger syndrome. A few key points, however, are worth repeating. I will not repeat all the detailed information available through these amazing sites. One such site is the OJRD- Orphanet Journal of Rare Disease which provides information through the NIH Īnd another great site is through OMIM- the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man which categorizes each individual type. There are a number of good educational sites on the topic of brachydactyly. Most commonly cited are those by Bell and Temtamy and McKusick ( Temtamy SA, McKusick VA. The different classifications are helpful as there are so many types and the classifications help keep some sort of organization. īrachydactyly, or short fingers, is a different condition as there are the normal 5 digits with shortening of either the phalanges or metacarpals or both. I have actually written 10 posts that relate to symbrachydactyly. This common condition is distinctive in appearance (although there are multiple different types). I have written several times about symbrachydactyly– that is short, webbed fingers.