A simple method for characterising syndactyly in clinical practice
Malik, S.; Ahmad, W.; Grzeschik, K.H.; Koch, M.C.
Genetic Counseling 16(3): 229-238
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1015-8146 PMID: 16261692 Document Number: 594177
A simple method for characterising syndactyly in clinical practice: Non-syndromic syndactyly is a heterogeneous group of limb malformations involving webbing of fingers and/or toes. There are at least nine non-syndromic types described in the literature. For the clinician and the genetic counsellor not having gathered experience with this malformation, it is rather tedious to identify the correct subtype for the patient's phenotype. We therefore present a protocol for clinical use, which visualises the malformation in a graphical way and thereby simplyfies typing. In addition, this protocol provides a simple documentation System for reporting clinical data for new syndactyly families. It might encourage clinicians to report families that are still unclassifed and thus, helping to extend and improve the existing classification system.