Clinical Study of 31 Polydactyly Cases Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: To investigate polydactyly in neonates who were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to urgent medical needs. Methods: Retrospective chart review of polydactyly neonates admitted to NICU of Chungnam National University Hospital between September 1997 and September 2018 was carried out. Patient data, type of polydactyly accompanying anomalies, genetic testing and clinical follow-up after discharge were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Thirty-one neonates with polydactyly were admitted to NICU during the selected period. 61.3% were male. Most were admitted for the evaluation and treatment for other congenital anomalies. Ten neonates (32%) were small for gestational age. The most frequently observed forms of polydactyly were preaxial hand polydactyly and postaxial foot polydactyly. Cardiac anomalies (35%) were more frequent in the population than genitourinary tract anomalies (22%), central nervous system anomalies (22%), gastrointestinal tract anomalies (19%) and congenital hypothyroidism. Four neonates showed abnormal genetic finding. Three neonates were diagnosed syndromic disorder after discharge (CATCH22 syndrome, VACTERL association, Joubert syndrome). Pregnancy of these neonates was complicated by maternal diabetes (13%), hepatitis B virus (6%), exposure to herbal medicine or smoking (6%), pre-eclampsia and hypertension. Only one case in the study had positive family history for polydactyly. Conclusion: Polydactyly could serve as a clue to syndromes and genetic disorders if associated with multiple major organ anomalies.