Incidence of trigger digits in newborns

Abstract

Trigger digits are uncommon in infants. We prospectively examined 1046 newborns to determine the congenital incidence of this condition. No trigger digits were identified among these children. This correlates by power calculation to an incidence of 0-3 trigger digits per 1000 live births. We then retrospectively reviewed the records of all children who had undergone surgical release of trigger digits at our hospital from July 1989 to July 1992. Seventy-three children underwent 89 trigger thumb releases and 5 children had 11 trigger finger releases. Only seven of these children presented at less than 6 months of age and none presented at less than 3 months of age. This study raises the possibility that trigger digits may represent lesions acquired after birth.