Simple - The web is formed due to the presence of soft tissue between the fingers.

The syndrome is characterized by a complete web formation between fingers and involves all the phalanges, bones and muscles. It is found when apoptosis does not occur properly in the middle two digits.Ĭomplete – This type of webbing occurs when the cells skip the apoptosis process completely during the intra-uterine development. Incomplete webbing - This type of webbing occurs when the fingers are joined partially. Webbed fingers can be classified into five major types: The defected genes are present in dominant form and inherited in complete dominance. Webbed fingers form during early embryonic development due to abnormal apoptosis that leads to the formation of defected hands. Various other transcriptional and epigenetic factors have been found to be involved in the syndrome. The pathway triggers the mechanism of digit specification and converts hands into fingers. Various studies have revealed the role of the BMP pathway in apoptosis (cell death) in soft tissues during early embryonic development. The simple type usually involves the formation of tissues between the fingers, while the complex includes nerves, tendons and vessels. The abnormality can be broadly divided into two types: simple and complex. Down syndrome is another genetic factor involved in webbed fingers and gives rise to abnormal bones in hands. Genetic factors like Crouzon and Apert syndrome are responsible for webbed fingers. The syndrome is usually inherited genetically by complete dominance. In some cases, the process of longitudinal interdigital necrosis gets inactivated and gives rise to tissues between the fingers, later forming a web-like structure. The hands and feet split to convert into fingers and toes, respectively, during the seventh week of gestation. This process is favored by cell mitosis and various post-translational factors. The syndrome can be corrected by surgery, the only mode of treatment for the syndrome.ĭuring embryonic development, the totipotent cells undergo differentiation and maturation to form tissue. However, parental history is not an effective diagnosis. An ultrasound examination can help in early detection of the syndrome and can be detected by parental history as well. Studies have proved that webbed fingers are not related to webbed feet. Various genetic pathways and other metabolic factors are involved in webbed finger syndrome. The syndrome is inherited from affected parents by complete dominance. Webbing occurs mostly in long and ring fingers while rarely involve the thumb and index fingers. The simple involves the soft tissue while complicated type involves bones and ligaments along with soft tissues. The syndrome is broadly classified as simple and complicated types. It is a congenital disorder and can be inherited from parents. The syndrome is rare and occurs 1 in 2000-3000 newborns, mostly in Caucasian males. The soft tissue connects between the fingers and gives it a web shape. During early embryonic development, the hands split and convert into fingers and, in some cases, the splitting does not occur and leads to webbed fingers. In this syndrome, the digits fuse to form a web. The webbing of fingers is denoted by a medical term, syndactyly.