Jeshuah Fuller was born on Tuesday with polydactylism — in this case, an extra finger on each hand and extra toe on each foot. An ultrasound had previously revealed the six fingered hands, but the twelve toes on his feet were a surprise. They will be surgically removed next week. The New York Daily News has the full story and an audio slideshow. From the article:
Jeshuah's father was born with a sixth finger on his left hand.
"I was like, wow, I gave him the finger," said the 29-year-old dad, who asked to remain anonymous…
While one in 2,000 babies is born with an extra finger or toe, it's much rarer to have extra digits on each appendage, said Dr. Robert Marion, director of genetics at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore.
Among African-Americans, one in 200 is born with a sixth finger or toe, he said. The condition – known as polydactyly or hexadactyly – is usually genetic…
The extra digits serve no function, Marion said. They usually occur outside of the pinky or little toe, lack bone and don't extend into the wrist or foot.
