Classification of congenital upper limb anomalies: towards improved communication, diagnosis, and discovery

Prevalence, infant outcomes and gestational risk factors for transverse reduction deficiencies at or above the wrist: a population-based study

We identified individuals born in Norway between 1970 and 2019 with transverse reduction deficiency at or above the wrist (TRDAW) from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and from the CULA (congenital upper limb anomaly) North Oslo Registry. Infant outcomes and parental factors were compared for 202 individuals with TRDAW to 2,741,013 living individuals without TRDAW born during the same period. We found an overall TRDAW prevalence of 0.74/10,000. Infants with TRDAW had a higher risk for being small for gestational age, an Apgar score <7 and transfer to neonatal intensive care units after delivery. Nine of the infants with TRDAW had associated anomalies, most commonly in the lower limb, and at a higher proportion than the reference population. Other than twin pregnancies, we are unable to identify with certainty any other risk factors for TRDAW.Level of evidence: I.

Congenital Upper-Limb Differences: A 6-Year Literature Review

➤ The Oberg-Manske-Tonkin (OMT) classification of congenital hand and upper-limb anomalies continues to be refined as our understanding of the genetic and embryonic etiology of limb anomalies improves.➤ We have conducted an evaluation of graft and graftless techniques for syndactyly reconstruction; strengths and drawbacks exist for each technique.➤ Treatment for radial longitudinal deficiency remains controversial; however, radialization has shown promise in early follow-up for severe deformities.➤ Recent emphasis on psychosocial aspects of care has demonstrated that children with congenital upper-limb differences demonstrate good peer relationships and marked adaptability.

Congenital Upper Limb Deficiency with Oligodactyly: A Case Report

Congenital upper limb deficiency care and management have undergone drastic changes over the past 50 years. Given the low incidence of this defect nationwide, this case report adds to the existing database to analyze the etiological investigations, descriptive epidemiology, and trend detection. We present a case of a 2-month-old male child with congenital upper limb deficiency and explore the possible etiologies and difficulties during early diagnosis of such rare disorders in a low and middle-income countrries and present implications at the primary health care level to improve the prognosis. Poor nutrition during pregnancy due to an unplanned pregnancy is a possible cause. The prognosis is unfavourable due to sociocultural barriers. To address these limitations, it is pertinent to address disability-adequate knowledge among communities, promote early diagnosis, and timely rehabilitation using a multidisciplinary approach. Further, we provide a framework to optimize care.

Keywords

congenital limb deficiency; prevalence; upper limb defect.

A Review of the Genetics and Pathogenesis of Syndactyly in Humans and Experimental Animals: A 3-Step Pathway of Pathogenesis

Embryology of normal web space creation and the genetics of syndactyly in humans and experimental animals are well described in the literature. In this review, the author offers a 3-step pathway of pathogenesis for syndactyly. The first step is initiated either by the overactivation of the WNT canonical pathway or the suppression of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) canonical pathway. This leads to an overexpression of Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 (FGF8). The final step is the suppression of retinoic acid in the interdigital mesenchyme leading to suppression of both apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, resulting in syndactyly.