Sirenomelia
Sirenomelia Causes
Sirenomelia is caused by a disruptive vascular defect in the lower aorta in utero. The exact cause is still unknown but the congenital defect is not thought to be hereditary.
Sirenomelia Definition
Sirenomelia is a very rare congenital defect wherein infants are born with one lower extremity characterized by totally fused legs and the possibility of wide ranging abnormalities. It is also referred to as the Mermaid syndrome because the legs of an affected infant suggest the appearance of a mermaid. Incidence is very rare appearing roughly one out of every 70,000 births. Sirenomelia is a life-threatening condition because of an increased risk of developing complications involving kidney and bladder development and activity.
Sirenomelia Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Sirenomelia is based on the existence and presentation of completely fused lower extremities.
Sirenomelia Symptoms and Signs
The following are symptoms and signs that are present in an individual suffering from Sirenomelia: ? Completely fused legs ? Nonexistence of sacrum ? Absence of rectum ? Absence of external genitalia ? Absence of internal genitalia ? Abnormal development of kidney ? Absence of bladder ? Missing anus or anus is located in the wrong position
Sirenomelia Treatment
Sirenomelia is a fatal condition and infants born with Sirenomelia are very lucky if they will manage to survive for days. Usually infants with Sirenomelia die hours after birth.