Mermaid syndrome

Abstract

Sirenomelia, alternatively known as Mermaid Syndrome, is a very rare congenital deformity in which the legs are fused together, giving them the appearance of a mermaid's tail. This syndrome was originally stated by Rocheas and Palfya in 16th century. It occurs in about 1 in 100,000 live births. It is also associated with multiple anomalies like renal agenesis, ambiguous external genitalia, imperforate anus, blind intestinal loop and single umbilical artery. Occasionally double inferior Venacava, dextrocardia and angiomatous lumbosacral myelocystocele are reported as well. Most of the Sirenomelia come to an end as stillbirth. Only a few are born alive and survival beyond few hours after delivery is extremely rare. About 300 cases have been reported in the world literature so far.