Congenital Hand Deformities

Congenital hand deformities are abnormalities present at birth, in a hand or arm. 

The foetus develops these deformities during early pregnancy. They can be minor, such as a digital disproportion, or major, such as the absence of an entire bone. Some of the more common anomalies include:

• Failure of the certain regions of hands to develop, leading to a shortening of bone, missing part of the hand or absence of the hand itself

• Failure of the bones or tissues of the hand to separate, leading to webbing or joined fingers

• Under grown (small or absent) or overgrown (abnormally large) digits

• Duplication of digits, most commonly seen in the thumb and little finger

• Constriction band syndrome, in which a finger or arm is constricted, hindering the flow of blood and normal growth

The exact cause of these deformities is not known. It can be hereditary or due to any type of a syndrome. Sometimes it occurs without any practical explanation. Basically, during the foetal development stage, hands and arms develop in numerous steps. If one of these steps fails to occur, the hand features a deformity. 

One in twenty children is born with some form of hand deformity. ​​

When to seek expert advice

​If you notice the aforementioned deformities, you can consult a specialist to determine if your child needs any treatment. You can seek the medical advice of our doctors working with the Department of Paediatrics at The Aga Khan University Hospital.​