Mermaid syndrome or sirenomelia

Mermaid syndrome or sirenomelia is a rare congenital condition where the legs of a new-born child are fused together. The child may have two feet sticking out to the sides like flippers or no feet at all.
This disorder was initially mistaken with Caudal Regression Syndrome, but was later reiterated as an independent sirenomelia mermaid syndrome. T

his birth defect is caused by the abnormal formation of the umbilical cord blood vessels. the sirenomelia fetus just has one umblical artery instead of two. With one umbilical artery (vitelline artery) providing blood to the fetus, it is obvious that it grows abnormally large and fails to fuse when it is supposed to. This artery thus steals the blood and nutrition from the lower body of the fetus and diverts it back up the placenta. Due to this malnutrition, the lower limbs of the fetus fail to develop and separate into two limbs.
Intake of HALOPERIDOL during pregnancy is considered as one of the etiologies of sirenomelia.
Also many other factors like poor antenatal care, alcohol or drug abuse mother or genetic association also seen
Usually, children with mermaid syndrome die shortly after birth. The condition occurs along with other abnormalities that affect the kidneys, bladder, genitals and rectum. The lungs may also be affected.
Surgical correction after birth is successful in 6 (wih isolate deformity only) cases among 300 living child..
(The Cute Baby Girl In This Photo is Milagros Cerron, from Peru.. She was operated successfully in 2005.)