Children's Hospital Colorado
Hand and Upper Extremity Program

Finger/Thumb Hypoplasia or Aplasia

Kids aren’t just mini adults. In fact, they’re incredibly different. That’s why they need incredibly different care.

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What is finger/thumb hypoplasia or finger/thumb aplasia?

  • Finger/thumb hypoplasia is when a baby is born with a finger or thumb that is not developed completely (it is usually small in size).
  • Finger/thumb aplasia is when a baby is born without a finger or thumb (it is missing).
  • The condition may or may not involve the other structures of the finger/thumb (bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints and nerves).

What causes finger/thumb hypoplasia or aplasia?

Doctors do not know why finger/thumb hypoplasia or aplasia occurs, but they do know that it is often associated with specific syndromes and other hand differences.

Next steps

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Get to know our pediatric experts.

Sarah Sibbel, MD

Sarah Sibbel, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand Surgery

Frank Scott, MD

Frank Scott, MD

Hand Surgery

Cailin Delaney, PA-C

Cailin Delaney, PA-C

Physician Assistant