Sirenomelia: A Case Report

Sirenomelia, which is also known as mermaid syndrome, is an extremely rare congenital developmental disorder characterized by anomalies of the lower spine and the lower limbs. Affected infants are born with partial or complete fusion of the legs. Additional malformations may also occur including genitourinary abnormalities, gastrointestinal abnormalities, anomalies of the lumbarsacral spine and pelvis and absence or underdevelopment (agenesis) of one or both kidneys. Affected infants may have one foot, no feet or both feet, which may be rotated externally. The tailbone is usually absent and the sacrum is partially or completely absent as well. Additional conditions may occur with sirenomelia including imperforate anus, spina bifida, and heart (cardiac) malformations. Sirenomelia is often fatal during the newborn period. : The case was reported at Zenana hospital,Berhampur ,during routine delivery.There was H/O diabetes, but no H/O of epilepsy,hypertension of the mother,after the baby was born live & it was transferred to NICU & within few hours it died . The morphology was studied & seen that the lower limbs are fused up to distal end with toes frinzizing out.There were six toes found, three in each leg. Great toe being present laterally instead of medially. Popliteal fossa was present in anterior aspect . Absense of external genitalia (sex cant be determined) . A Potter’s face (ocular hypertelorism, low-set ears, receding chin and flattening of the nose)Imperforate anus . No deformity found on upperlimb, trunk, abdomen, face & head morphologically.