Cause of Symbrachydactyly

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Cause of Symbrachydactyly

(15 posts)

Started 1 year ago by MrHsMom
Latest reply from beanie

Total votes:

MrHsMom
Member

Hi Dr. Harley. First off, I want to thank you for being available to answer questions.
I read your explanation of the cause for symbrachydactyly---insult to the artery growing into the primitive tissues. This may sound silly but I have to ask. I recall getting extremely sick for about 24 hours during my 6th or 7th week of being pregnant. I attributed it to food poisoning or a 24 hr virus. In your opinion, could food poisoning or a virus cause this kind of harm to a developing fetus?

Thank you!

Posted 1 year ago #
harleyb
Moderator

NO.

Most people who have children with symbrachydactyly never have any incident like this that they can pinpoint as a cause. Don't beat yourself up over this - its just life! You can't change it and we don't know why it occurs, so we can't prevent it. There are many things in life we just don't have answers to, and this is one of them.

Hope this helps.

Posted 1 year ago #
MrHsMom
Member

Thanks

Posted 1 year ago #
sarahm
Member

Dear Dr.Harley
what would you say about industrial life, can this be a reason?
what about pesticides on the agricultural field? there should be a reason for this bloody symbrachy, is there any recent study or investigation going on this topic? when was the first reported symbarchy?
I am afraid, but I am very anger, since the birth of my son with the stupid symby I haven't stopped asking myself why and how even for a day, it's running me crazy,I have to figure out the reason than I can accept it better.

thank you

Posted 1 year ago #
KarenO
Member

sarah,
Dr. Harley has posted before that there are hundreds, thousands, millions of things happening during fetal development and that most of the time everything connects correctly is really amazing. I feel so much for your pain and hardship accepting your son's condition. It can be very startling, especially when you're expecting everything to be just fine. But sometimes things just happen and there might be a connection to something else or not. Throughout recorded history there have been documentation of people with differences, abnormalities, deformities, etc., so I don't think it is just a new development. Even animals can have differences.

I know it is hard, but please don't drive yourself crazy looking for a definitive answer, enjoy your son--as I'm sure you do. He will just amaze you and show you how wonderful the human spirit can be. Try to accept it as what it is, a difference, not a condemnation of your life, your habits, your society.

I hope others can offer you peace of mind that your son will be just wonderful.

Karen in VA

Posted 1 year ago #
MrHsMom
Member

Hi Sarah,
I completely understand how you feel. I think about it everyday, multiple times a day. I know Karen is right...I'm not there yet, I'm still a little obsessed with the thoughts, but she's right. If I could convince myself that it was a random occurance or something that I had no control over I would have no problem. It's the fact that I feel like it was something I did that drives me crazy. The "what ifs". It's getting easier as time goes by though. I think where it started to get easier for me was when one day I found myself on the computer almost all day long, obsessed with finding out as much as possible and how this might have happened. I realized that I shouldn't be obsessing over this thing that has already happened. I should be playing with my healthy baby. He has no idea that he has a difference, he's just busy learning and developing like any other baby, and I should be there every moment I can experiencing all of this and helping him along.
So like I said, I'm still not out of the woods yet but my brain is telling me that I need to move on from this thing I can't change and my heart is slowly catching up.

Posted 1 year ago #
sarahm
Member

Thanks Karen, thanks MrhsMom. It is very helpful and nice what you wrote. I am trying to calm myself down but it is not that easy!

Sarah

Posted 1 year ago #
harleyb
Moderator

Sarah,

I can't say it any better than these other moms. My own wife simply moved on after the birth of our first born child - and we live our lives. That's all you can do.

Hope this helps.

Posted 1 year ago #
blueberry
Member

I know that I don't want to spend one more minute looking for a "cause" when I could be spending that minute with my children. A theoretical cause won't change a thing, but the time that I spend with my children will.

Guess I better go clean the house so I have time to play with them when they get up from naptime!

Posted 8 months ago #
heavencent70
Member

Hi everyone. I just wanted to say that after Kaelyn was born with symbrachydactyly of the left hand 18 months ago, I registered her at birthdefects.org as part of research they were doing ... and because I thought it would help me perhaps pinpoint what went wrong during my pregnancy.

The questionairre asked a zillion question about environmental exposures during pregnancy, health conditions, etc etc., and I answered no to all of their questions ... which helped me realize: Deep down I know *I* did nothing during my pregnancy that caused Kaelyn's condition.

That's all you can do is love your child, love yourself, and know that you didn't do anything to purposely harm your child. Could it have been from something I was exposed to in the 30-some years before her birth? Could it be from traces of chemicals in the water supply or in the air we breathe? Possibly; it's not exactly a perfect clean environment out there. I am sure we've all been exposed to harmful things at some point in our lives. But I don't know that and I will never know that ... but I do know I love her just the same regardless of what her hand looks like.

And she will always know that.

I have read a ton of stories about children who have less limbs than kaelyn and who can do practically anything. In fact, last night I watched a show on TLC called "born without arms." There was a girl with no arms who could drive a car with her feet and answer a cell phone while driving. This morning, my hubby and I were worried Kaelyn wouldn't be able to get the Legos apart that her nana got her for Christmas. Well, she proved us wrong in about two seconds and can actually get them apart better than us. I know now that nothing will stop Kaelyn. This is all I need to know. That she will be OK. I don't need to know why.

For me, the most important thing is not the questions WHY or WHY US, but the answer ... which is because this is the family she was supposed to be in and she will grow up happy with us. Just look at it that way ... that you were blessed with her and she was blessed with you for a reason.

Happy holidays to all you beautiful people and your beautiful children
Sharyn

Posted 8 months ago #
rach2babies
Member

Hi Sarah, my son is just a few months shy of 3 years old and he was also born with symbrachydactly. I've experienced so many emotions....fear, anger, resentment, jealousy, depression.....joy.....then the rollercoaster of emotions all over again. It's not an easy set of circumstances to accept, but it does get easier. I'm grateful for a forum such as this one, in which we're able to chat with other parents and voice how we truly feel. The other mom's are right.... although it will take some time for you to adjust.....your little one is growing and learning and living. I've learned that I had to stop trying to wrap my mind around the "answer" and stop trying to "adjust" and just start living! It's still hard....when other kids have questions and my little Mason gets stared at. But, I've taught him that God made him special... and he has a "special" hand, but he's no different than anyone else....he can still play basketball, football, put on his shoes, pull up his pants, color, play with building blocks.....he even got a drum set for Christmas and he plays with one hand and the foot pedal. He just has his own way of doing the things that other kids do. Sarah, keep in mind that babies and children are very smart and they can sense how you feel about things. I used to dress my son in long sleeves in the summer time when he was an infant because I didn't want anyone to see his left hand difference. I finally realized that I would shatter in shot of his having high self esteem if I was ashamed. I'm not even three years into this journey yet....so I can't say I have all the answers, but continue to be honest with your feelings and try hard to move past the why, when, how, and what ifs. By the way....people are so amazed at my son's physical abilities and his confidence level even as a toddler that most of them are more focused on his abilities, rather than the disability. That's my advice to you in your journey....try to focus on your son's abilities....rather than the disability....
Seems impossible now...but it's very possible.
Best Wishes to you and I'm here to listen or talk if you need me.
Rachael (rach2babies)

Posted 8 months ago #
sarahm
Member

Dear lovely people

I thank you very much for your supporting texts. Your words are very helpful.
I guess that i am about getting used to this faith and I am sure that my son will be ok and manage his life. I just need to work on myself to concentrate on his abilities rather than the disability. But, i am observing that he could do it better if he had the hand. And, his long arm shirts bothering him and me as well, being stared at and asked by other people is another drama.
Anyway, I would like to read the recent research on this matter, i will be grateful if any one could send me an article.
my email: sa_zarin@yahoo.com

With the best wishes for 2010, sarah

Posted 8 months ago #
blueberry
Member

He will be okay, Sarah. Okay doesn't mean able do do everything you want. Okay is when you're loved and cared for and accepted just the way you are. Okay is when you look at your mom and she tells you that you are the best thing that's ever happened to her. When you're supported, encouraged, and challenged. Okay is when you're given the opportunity to have faith and you accept it.

I think you're both going to be okay.

Posted 7 months ago #
KarenO
Member

I'm not sure there is much research in this area--congenital limb differences. And if there is it might not be very accessible to the general public. Are you looking for research on causal links to limb differences?

As for his clothing, modifying it some might be helpful for him. And if you aren't good at sewing (I'm terrible) I'm sure you could find someone willing to help. The questions and stares are just something you might or might not get used to. I always took it as a way to educate people (although she has this difference, she can still get on quite well) and show my daughter that she needn't be embarrassed when someone comments on her hand. And I always remember that there are so many worse things that could happen to my child that a limb difference is minor compared to illness.

Karen

Posted 7 months ago #
beanie
Member

Amen to that last part, Karen. We have a little friend who was born with a brain tumor and has undergone three surgeries by age 2 1/2. I feel like what is a little hand compared to that? We are truly so fortunate.

Posted 7 months ago #

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