SIRENOMELIA: MERMAID SYNDROME

A neonate with rare congenital anomalies was born at 25 weeks of gestation and died within 17 minutes of birth. On examination of the baby, it was found that the lower limbs were malrotated and fused all along the length with six toes. External genitalia, urogenital and anal orifices were absent. At autopsy, a single umbilical artery was found arising from the abdominal aorta. Both the kidneys were polycystic and were situated in the iliac fossae. Distal portion of the large gut beyond caecum was absent and rectum was atretic. No reproductive organ was found. On the basis of the findings, the case was diagnosed as sirenomelia (mermaid syndrome).