Limb Reduction Defects
A child being born with a limb difference is not tragic. It’s extremely important to show our children how capable & wonderfully made they are. If we treat them as flawed or limited that is who they will believe themselves to be- and that would be the tragedy - Molly Stapelman
HWN Suggests
Lucky Fin Documentary
In 2007 Molly Stapelman gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Ryan. As much as each baby is unique, Ryan entered the world with an unexpected hand difference. The growth of her right hand had been stunted, her palm was small with no fingers, just a tiny thumb. Stapelman and her husband received painfully little information from health care professionals and were left to search for answers...
If you've seen the movie "Finding Nemo" then you know all about Nemo's "lucky fin" and how being made a little differently doesn't stop him from accomplishing anything he sets out to do.
In 2010 Stapelman launched the Lucky Fin Project - an upper limb difference awareness initiative...
Articles of Interest
Congenital upper limb deficiency: A case report
As with other congenital birth defects, the exact cause of an upper limb deficiency is typically not known. Some research has suggested that the exposure of the mother during pregnancy to various viruses, chemicals, medications, and tobacco smoke can be contributing factors.
Limb Abnormalities and Reduction Defects Panel
Rare disorder testing...
Limb Reduction Defect In An Infant - All About the Congenital Deformity
Limb reduction defects, also known as congenital amputations, are a type of birth defect in which one or more of the fetus's limbs fail to form completely during pregnancy. The limbs can be either upper, lower, or both. In some cases, the affected limbs may be smaller than normal and have visible deformities or abnormalities. It is estimated that this condition affects one out of every 1000 live births, making it a relatively rare occurrence.
Limb Reduction Defects
The cause of limb reduction defects is not yet known, but may have to do with genetic factors, environmental factors, or a combination of both. Some of the risk factors that have been associated with limb reduction defects include maternal exposure to certain medications in early pregnancy, certain viral infections during pregnancy, low maternal weight gain, and certain genetic disorders.
Maternal Factors, Medications, and Drug Exposure in Congenital Limb Reduction Defects
If a chemical is involved, the resulting limb reduction defects may be very specific. Thus, thalidomide would cause intercalary transverse defects ("phocomelia"), while hydantoin causes defects of the terminal phalanges. With regard to ethanol, the amount consumed and the individual biological background are also additional factors in the expression of defects.
What Are Limb Reduction Defects (LRDs)?
LRDs involve missing tissue or bone in any part of a limb or limbs. LRDs can range in severity from missing fingers and toes to the complete absence of one or both arms and/or legs.
Resources
Lucky Fin Project
The Lucky Fin Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to raise awareness and celebrate children and individuals born with symbrachydactyly or other limb differences (upper, lower, congenital, and amputee).
Born Just Right
Welcome to the home of Project Unicorn! Born Just Right builds creative solutions that help kids with disabilities live a more enjoyable life. We believe giving kids design and STEM knowledge empowers them to create their own solutions.
DysNet
Many individuals with dysmelia, along with their families and support groups across the world, have made discoveries about great resources, adaptations and medical treatments to help themselves, their children or their patients in managing their condition. DysNet wants to bring all that knowledge together in an accessible database so that everyone who needs to find out this type of information doesn't have to spend hours searching.
Limbkids
Limbkids Support Association Inc is a non-profit, voluntary organisation of parents, professionals and interested people sharing a concern for the care of children with limb differences.
What is Perfection?
At that point, we both started laughing. Our little Nemo was going to be just fine. She wouldn't have a hand, but we've got a roster of family and friends missing limbs, not to mention family that had much scarier complications at birth. If the worst thing to happen over the course of this pregnancy and birth was a missing hand, we could handle that.
CDC
The cause of limb reduction defects is unknown. However, research has shown that certain behaviors or exposures during pregnancy can increase the risk of having a baby with a limb reduction defect.
The Fetal Medicine Foundtion
In 50% of cases there are transverse reduction deficiencies of one forearm or hand without associated anomalies.
