Rare case report of mermaid baby: sirenomelia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20211546Keywords:
Fusion of lower limbs, Sirenomelia, Mermaid baby, Potter’s faciesAbstract
Sirenomelia or mermaid baby is a rare and fatal congenital anomaly. It is characterized by varying degrees of fusion of lower limbs, thoracolumbar spinal anomalies, sacrococcygeal agenesis, genitourinary malformations, lower gastrointestinal tracts anomalies (e.g. renal agenesis, absent bladder, anorectal atresia) and absent internal genitalia. Most of the cases are associated with Potter’s facies and pulmonary hypoplasia. The incidence of the disease was 0.8-1 case/1,00,000 births and male to female ratio being 3:1. We reported a case of 19 years old primi at 35 weeks 3 days of gestation with history of tobacco intake during pregnancy who delivered a 1.24 kg baby with single fused lower limbs with a rudimentary tail and multiple congenital anomalies .There was also evidence of Potter’s facies .The baby died within 20 mins after birth. Sirenomelia is a rare but lethal congenital anomaly. Prevention is possible and when diagnosed antenatally, termination should be offered.
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