Poland syndrome

Poland syndrome
Other names	Poland's syndrome, Poland's syndactyly, Poland sequence, Poland's anomaly, unilateral defect of pectoralis major and syndactyly of the hand[1]
Missing right breast and right pectoralis major muscle in Poland syndrome[2]
Specialty	Medical genetics
Symptoms	Underdeveloped chest muscle and short webbed fingers on one side[3][1]
Usual onset	At birth[1]
Causes	Unknown[1]
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms[4]
Differential diagnosis	Moebius syndrome, Hanhart syndrome[4]
Treatment	Surgical correction[3]
Frequency	1 in 20,000 newborns[1]

Poland syndrome is a birth defect characterized by an underdeveloped chest muscle and short webbed fingers on one side of the body.^[3][1] There may also be short ribs, less fat, and breast and nipple abnormalities on the same side of the body.^[1] Typically, the right side is involved.^[3] Those affected generally have normal movement and health.^[1]

The cause of Poland syndrome is unknown.^[1] One theory is that it is due to disruption of blood flow during embryonic development.^[1] It is generally not inherited, and no genes that contribute to the disorder have been identified.^[1] Diagnosis of Poland syndrome is based on its symptoms.^[4] Often, those with the syndrome remain undiagnosed, and some may not realize they have it until puberty.^[3]

Treatment of Poland syndrome depends on its severity and may include surgical correction.^[3] The syndrome affects about 1 in 20,000 newborns, and males are affected twice as often as females.^[1] It is named after English surgeon Sir Alfred Poland, who described the condition when he was a student in 1841.^[4][5]