2023-04-20 14:55:56
An Indian child was born with 24 fingers, an extra finger on each hand and leg, which surprised doctors and specialists.
According to news reports, the parents of the child Sangrabhu Shagar and Ravali in Nizamabad village of India got married two years ago. Ravali was taken to Mtabali Government Hospital after going into labor pains. But due to a shortage of doctors, she was transferred to Korutla State Hospital, where she delivered the baby in a normal delivery.
Doctors at Kortla State Hospital were astonished after the birth of the baby with an uncommon disease. Instead of the standard 20 fingers and toes, this child has 24 fingers, six on each hand and foot.
According to specialists, it is very rare in medical history. This condition is called “Polydactyly” (a rare genetic mutation), according to what was published by the specialized medical website “onlymyhealth”.
What exactly is polydactyly?
Polydactyly, a condition characterized by the presence of extra fingers, has been a subject of fascination for centuries.
While most humans are born with five fingers on each hand and five on each foot, newborn polydactyly babies have more fingers than the normal number.
Research indicates that polydactyly can result from genetic mutations that affect limb development during embryonic development.
Studies have identified several genes associated with polydactyly, including the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway, which plays an important role in digit formation. Mutations in the SHH gene or other genes involved in limb development can disrupt the delicate process of digit patterning, resulting in the formation of extra digits.
Further research also revealed that polydactyly can have a familial pattern, with a higher likelihood of it occurring in families with a history of the condition.
Types of polydactyly:
Polydactyly has been studied in different populations and has been found to occur in different forms:
Preaxial polydactyly
It is characterized by the presence of an extra finger on the thumb side of the hand or the big toe side of the foot.
– Post-axis polydactyly
It involves the presence of an extra digit on the little finger side of the hand or the little toe side of the foot.
Genetics controls have shown that these different forms of polydactyly may have distinct genetic causes, suggesting a complex genetic basis for the condition.
Are there any functional benefits to having extra fingers?
The study, conducted by the University of Freiburg in Germany and published in the journal Nature Communications, revealed that people with polydactyly had greater motor skill than those with fewer fingers.
Polydactyly has also been studied from an evolutionary perspective. Some researchers suggest that polydactyly could have evolutionary advantages, as the presence of extra digits may enhance the ability to grasp or move in certain environments. For example, studies in animals such as cats, horses, and birds have shown that polydactyly can confer functional benefits in specific contexts.
Diagnosis of polydactyly
Sometimes the extra toe is visible on a prenatal ultrasound. But it is not fully visible. This can be confirmed by postpartum examination. X-rays may also be used to confirm the presence of extra bone. It may help parents to learn how to have an extra finger on the hand.
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