BIRTH DEFECTS

Congenital Limb Defects  
Congenital limb defects is a term used to describe any number of defects affecting the upper or lower limb. These defects may range in severity from mild to severe. In some cases, such as syndactyly of the toes, the defects is often left alone and the baby will grow up with no problems. Other cases may require surgery or possibly a prosthesis (artificial limb).
Some common classifications of limb defects are:
Phocomelia - The limbs are smaller or much shorter than normal.
Polydactyly - Extra toes or fingers.
Syndactyly - Commonly seen as "webbed" toes or fingers.
Absent radius - The radius, one of the bones in the forearm, is small or missing altogether causing the forearm to shorten and curve.

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