Why Are Some Babies Born With An Extra Finger On Each Hand?

To Padraig:
No, it is not because of radiation or chemicals. It's a cause of certain genes that some people have, just like some people have the genes for green eyes or for brown hair.
And it is God's doing, but he is not punishing us.How in the world would something like that be a punishment? It's just something that makes some people unique. Nothing is wrong with people with this gift.
I was born with six fingers on each hand. So was my dad, and my grandmother and my great grandmother. Every first born in the family has it. My mom was perfectly healthy when she was pregnant with me, as was my great grandmother, the one where the gene started. It's just something that happens sometimes, sort of like children born with down syndrom. Nothing you can do about it, but it's not a big deal.
Of course children with polydactyly can fullfill their dreams! It's not like something is wrong with them!
I would appreciate it if you would not tell people that God is punishing them, or their gift is a result of radiation. Especially if they have polydactyly. That could really upset the person if they don't know the real cause of it. They should not blame themselves or anyone for this because it is nobody's fault.

My Nan was born with 6 fingers on each hand and also 6 toes. My Mum was born with 6 fingers on each hand and I was also born with 6 fingers but mine was not a full finger but just 2 round bits of raised skin on the side of my hand.

How do babies get extra fingers attached to others fingers and what is it called

Having an extra finger is just like anyother normal birth defect. Its natural and from God's side. In the language of medicine it is called Polydactyly. When hands are developing in a baby they start as paddles and then they separate into fingers. During this separation process sometimes and extra segment is created. It normally doesnot cause any pain and is only a genetic abnormality. For reference see the link below:
www.surgery.missouri.edu

The simplest and most brief answer is that you are witness to a rare but easily explained miracle of nature. The baby's rare form of anatomy is probably the straight forward result of a statistically uncommon type of genetic mutation. This answers the "Why would such a baby be born this way?" But it also immediately raises the equally, if not more important question: What exactly was the precise mechanism by which this event happened to come into being, and how likely is it to happen again within the same family?

It isn't a birth defect. Six digits is the dominant gene. Five digits is the recessive gene. It is just like anything else genetically, the code is in there to do as it pleases. It happens quite frequently. I type for a pediatric orthopedist and he performs removals. I have about two a day that I type on.

It is just a birth defect caused by abnormalities during the formation of DNA.

My son has extra fingers and his father and his fathers mother. Has extra finger and they are first born. My boyfriend has a daughter that is older then my son. She wasn't born with extra. Is my boyfriend her father.

My child was born with extra fingers I did not smoke ate healthy didnt even touch a drop of alchol I watched everything I did . Sometimes its just genetics and there are so many worse genetics story out there that can effect them for life .

The truth as to why this type of genetic mutation occurs is actually quite straightforward. In order for a gene to become defective and mutate it is exposed to a chemical or radiation. Chemicals that we eat in our foods, or inhale into our lungs,or inject into our veins. Inhaling smoke wether from smoking or living in highly polluted industrial areas are contributors. While some traits are passed on from generation to generation by normal genetic means, it was a toxin that caused the origional genetic anomalie. Radiation from the sun or the over exposure to x rays etc are known factors.    Sometimes when people say is this gods doing .are we being punished etc, I like to point out that everything I have mentioned is down to man and his greed. Pollution by big businesses and messing about with nature to increase crop yields etc, can all be traced back to making money.  So please don't try to blame yourselves for in truth we are all a little bit guilty.  Polydactyly is not uncommom and should not stop your child from fullfilling their dreams.

I know were this condition was reported to have been happening on a regular basis....this supposedly in Pre World War II in the vast steppes starting the Ukrainian and Polish border...due to the majority of the population being involved with growing grains which were harvested for the most part by using the hand scythe. That tool requires a strong grip by a two handed grip. During continuous operation for long late summer days for long hours. This repeated for days. In time, after generations of developing growths on the bone were the wood handle caused pressure on subdermal bone growths/'bumps' were caused. Full extra stumped fingers were found on new born children
For the other infants with extra fingers or toes a genetic mutation mixed-up of their genes controlling the digits formation happened. The end.

I didn't know that but you guys seem correct. Jeez, that seems creepy!