What Is Poland Anomaly?
Named after Sir Alfred Poland, Poland anomaly (PA) is
described as an underdevelopment or absence of the chest muscle
(pectoralis) on one side of the body and webbing of the fingers
(cutaneous syndactyly) of the hand on the same side
(ipsilateral hand).
Sometimes referred to as "Poland syndrome," it is an
uncommon condition present at birth (congenital). For people
born with PA, the breastbone portion (sternal) of the
pectoralis is also missing.
Since the severity of Poland anomaly differs from person to
person, it is not often diagnosed or reported. Sometimes, a
person does not realize they have the condition until puberty,
when lopsided (asymmetrical) growth makes it more obvious.
The incidence, therefore, is difficult to determine. Current
estimates are between one in 10,000 to one in 100,000 births.
Poland anomaly is more common in boys than girls, and the right
side is affected twice as often as the left. The reasons for
these differences are unknown.
Health
Related Websites
The National Cancer
Institute
The National Eye
Institute
The National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute

National Institute on
Aging

National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases

National Institute of
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute on Drug
Abuse

National Institute of Mental
Health

National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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