[Systematic study of limb anomalies in a population of 35,600 consecutive newborn infants]

During the surveillance of a consecutive sample of 35.600 liveborn infants in an urban hospital, limb anomalies were specially analysed. Polydactyly (28 cases), syndactyly (14 cases) and absence deformities (20 cases) looked not rare. No specific human teratogen have been recognized but this epidemiologic study is still in progress. The effect of chronic exposure to volatile anesthesics in operating rooms is evoked in two ectrodactylies.