Poland syndrome

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**Poland syndrome**
*Classifications and external resources*
ICD-10	Q 79.8
ICD-9	756.89
OMIM	173800
DiseasesDB	31679
eMedicine	plastic/132
MeSH	C05.116.099.370.894.819.756

Named after Sir Alfred Poland, Poland's Syndrome is a congenital disorder 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). Also referred to as Poland's Anomaly and Poland's Sequence, it is an uncommon condition present at birth (congenital).

Since the severity of Poland's Syndrome 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 is difficult to determine, but current estimates are between one in 10,000 to one in 100,000 births.

Poland's Syndrome affects males three times as often as females and more frequently involves the right side of the body.

The cause of Poland's syndrome is uncertain. The disorder is currently considered "a nonspecific developmental field defect" occurring at about the sixth week of fetal development. Diminished blood flow through the subclavian artery that goes to the arm has been blamed.^[1]

British TV presenter Jeremy Beadle is one of the few celebrities with this disease.