Abstract
This report describes a neonate with sirenomelia, the mermaid syndrome. Vaginal delivery of a live 1, 817 g infant with excellent Apgar scores was performed at 38w. Anomalies noted were : fused lower extremities, sacral and pelvic bony anomalies, imperforate anus, esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula, bilateral renal agenesis, and genital abnormalities. Laparotomy, gastrostomy and colostomy were performed, but the infant died of renal failure and cardiac failure after 8 days. The syndrome of caudal regression is thought to be the result of caudal injuries that are incompatible with life. However, two survival cases of sirenomelia have been reported. We should think that the outcome depends on the severity of the associated visceral anomalies, and not solely on the presence of sirenomelia itself.
