AUTHOR=Qin Zhihong , Luo Xiaolin , Ding Xiaofei , Liao Shijie TITLE=Case Report: Congenital absence of the fifth metacarpal with polydactyly and syndactyly JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025 YEAR=2025 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1631029 DOI=10.3389/fped.2025.1631029 ISSN=2296-2360 ABSTRACT=Congenital hand malformations encompass various types, with polydactyly and syndactyly being common. However, congenital absence of the metacarpal is rarely reported, and literature on this condition remains limited. To date, no cases of congenital absence of the fifth metacarpal combined with polydactyly and syndactyly have been documented. Here, we present a case of a 7-month-old female infant with congenital absence of the fifth metacarpal accompanied by polydactyly and syndactyly. The intraoperative management strategy is described, and early postoperative outcomes are evaluated. This case report aims to provide treatment approaches and clinical experience for complex congenital hand malformations, offering reference for clinicians managing similar cases in the future.