The six digits on each of Kamani Hubbard's hands and feet are perfectly formed and fully functioning. It's not especially rare for children to be born with extra digits - a condition known as polydactylism - but cases in which each hand and foot has extra digits that look and function normally are extremely rare.

The baby looked so normal that maternity staff at St Luke's Hospital in San Francisco didn't even notice the discrepancy after he was born three weeks ago. Miryoki Gross, the baby's mother, said that, after she gave birth, doctors and nurses simply told her the baby weighed six pounds and was in good health.

The extra digits - including five fingers and a thumb on each hand - were eventually spotted by the baby's father, Kris Hubbard, a postal worker. He said his family had a history of polydactylism and he himself had the non-functioning nubs of sixth fingers removed as a child.

"I was in amazement. It took a little time for me to take it all in," he said. "My son has six fingers, then I saw toes and I thought 'This is quite unique'. Some family members have had six fingers, not completely developed. But not the toes." The parents have made no decision on whether to remove Kamani's extra digits but doctors say there is no need and, rather, they may be useful to keep .

"It's merely an interesting and beautiful variation rather than a worrisome thing. I would be tempted to leave those fingers in place," said Dr Michael Treece, a paediatrician at St Luke's. "I realise children would tease each other over the slightest things, and having extra digits on each hand is more than slight. But imagine what sort of pianist a 12-fingered person would be. Imagine what sort of a flamenco guitarist. If nothing else, think of their typing skills."

Not to mention Cat's Cradle!

And, yes, I am an excellent swimmer...

The original was here