What causes babies to be born with 6 fingers?

Polydactyly tends to run in families. It may also result from genetic mutations or environmental causes. The usual treatment is surgery to remove the extra digit.

Can polydactyly be inherited?

Polydactyly may be passed down in families. This trait involves only one gene that can cause several variations. African Americans, more than other ethnic groups, can inherit a 6th finger. In most cases, this is not caused by a genetic disease.

What is a sixth finger called?

Six fingers or toes: The presence of an extra sixth finger or toe, a very common congenital malformation (birth defect). This condition is called hexadactyly. The word hexadactyly literally means six digits.

Is polydactyly a birth defect?

Polydactyly is a condition in which a person has more than five fingers per hand or five toes per foot. It is the most common birth defect of the hand and foot. Polydactyly can occur as an isolated finding such that the person has no other physical anomalies or intellectual impairment.

Is having 6 fingers a dominant gene?

​Polydactyly Polydactyly is an abnormality characterized by extra fingers or toes. The condition may be present as part of a collection of abnormalities, or it may exist by itself. When polydactyly exhibits by itself, it is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Who has six fingers in the Bible?

The name of Goliath’s third son does not appear in the Bible, so we have named him Exadactylus as it was said that ‘he had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes’ (Samuel 21:20-21).

Is having 6 fingers a mutation?

It’s really not uncommon for human babies to be born with extra fingers or toes. The mutation is called polydactyly, and around one in 500 babies has it. These extra digits are considered useless, and usually amputated not long after birth – but as new research has shown, they may not be quite so bad after all.