As a geneticist with a focus on inherited conditions, I can explain that polydactyly, also known as having extra fingers or toes, is a congenital condition that is often inherited. It is caused by a mutation in one or more genes that are responsible for the development of the limbs. The inheritance pattern can be
autosomal dominant, which means that only one copy of the mutated gene from one parent is needed for a child to inherit the condition. However, it can also be
autosomal recessive, where both parents must carry the mutated gene for a child to express the trait. In some cases, polydactyly can occur due to environmental factors or without a clear genetic cause, which is known as
sporadic.
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