Last reviewed 01/2018

The aetiology of congenital limb anomalies

The cause of half of all congential hand anomalies is unknown, but Swanson(1) has estimated that the following factors prevail:

• 60% multiple gene disorder
• 20% single gene disorder
• 10% chromosomal aberration
• 10% environmental factors

(1) Swanson AB. (1981) Congenital limb defects. Classification and treatment. CIBA Clinical Symposia 33 (3).