Sometimes, congenital limb deficiencies and deformities are inherited, or passed down, from parent to child. In some cases they can develop if babies are exposed to certain toxins—like drugs or alcohol—while they’re still growing in the womb.
But most of the time, these issues develop for no apparent reason.
Congenital limb deficiencies and deformities can sometimes be diagnosed during pregnancy. This can allow expectant parents to plan for treatment after their child is born.
Prenatal tests that can detect issues like this include:
Sometimes a congenital limb deficiency or deformity simply can’t be diagnosed before birth. In some cases, the deficiency or deformity is visible only after a child is born. And even then, it might take time before the condition is noticeable.
In some cases, limb issues are obvious right at birth. In other cases, they might not become apparent until the baby’s first birthday.
But even when a limb’s outward appearance indicates that a child has a deformity, a physician might still need to perform imaging tests—like X-rays—in order to have a clear picture of the inside of the limb—including which bones are impacted by the deficiency or deformity.
Knowing which parts of the limb are impacted—both inside and out—can make it easier for the care team to develop a treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs.
The goal of treatment is the same for all limb deficiencies or deformities: to maximize the limb’s function so that your child can live as normally as possible. But how the care team goes about treating your child depends on her specific needs.
Sometimes, that means no treatment is needed at all. For instance, a missing small toe or a short pinky finger may not noticeably impact your child’s day-to-day functioning, so treatment might not be necessary.
But if treatment is needed, developing the right plan depends on the type and severity of your child’s deficiency or deformity. The most common types of treatment include:
Orthotics (braces or splints)
Prosthetics (artificial limbs)
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Surgery
Sometimes, congenital limb deficiencies and deformities are inherited, or passed down, from parent to child. In some cases they can develop if babies are exposed to certain toxins—like drugs or alcohol—while they’re still growing in the womb.
But most of the time, these issues develop for no apparent reason.
Congenital limb deficiencies and deformities can sometimes be diagnosed during pregnancy. This can allow expectant parents to plan for treatment after their child is born.
Prenatal tests that can detect issues like this include:
Sometimes a congenital limb deficiency or deformity simply can’t be diagnosed before birth. In some cases, the deficiency or deformity is visible only after a child is born. And even then, it might take time before the condition is noticeable.
In some cases, limb issues are obvious right at birth. In other cases, they might not become apparent until the baby’s first birthday.
But even when a limb’s outward appearance indicates that a child has a deformity, a physician might still need to perform imaging tests—like X-rays—in order to have a clear picture of the inside of the limb—including which bones are impacted by the deficiency or deformity.
Knowing which parts of the limb are impacted—both inside and out—can make it easier for the care team to develop a treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs.
The goal of treatment is the same for all limb deficiencies or deformities: to maximize the limb’s function so that your child can live as normally as possible. But how the care team goes about treating your child depends on her specific needs.
Sometimes, that means no treatment is needed at all. For instance, a missing small toe or a short pinky finger may not noticeably impact your child’s day-to-day functioning, so treatment might not be necessary.
But if treatment is needed, developing the right plan depends on the type and severity of your child’s deficiency or deformity. The most common types of treatment include:
Orthotics (braces or splints)
Prosthetics (artificial limbs)
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Surgery