Webbing of the fingers or toes

Considerations:
Syndactyly may appear as a normal finding on an examination. In its normal form, it is most often seen as webbing between the 2nd and 3rd toes. This form is often inherited. In addition syndactyly may be seen as a sign in many different syndromes involving the skull, face, and bones.

Common Causes:
  • hereditary syndactyly
  • Apert's syndrome
  • Carpenter's syndrome
  • Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
  • Pfeiffer syndrome

Note: There may be other causes of webbing of the fingers or toes. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for webbing of the fingers or toes, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:



Call Your Healthcare 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 medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail 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 thorough physical evaluation.

Laboratory studies such as chromosome studies , enzyme assays, X-rays and metabolic studies may be ordered to confirm the presence of a suspected disorder.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider associated with the webbing, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.