In a rare and tragic occurrence, doctors in Sahranpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, were astounded by the birth of a baby with a condition known as ‘Mermaid syndrome’ or Sirenomelia. The 22-year-old mother gave birth on Friday morning to a newborn whose legs had fused together, resembling a fish-like lower body. Regrettably, the baby, born with a functional upper body, lived for only about ten minutes.
Dr. Vandana Arya, a 35-year-old gynecologist at Sahi Ram Hospital who delivered the baby, expressed her astonishment, stating that she had never encountered a case like this before. Sirenomelia is an extremely rare congenital disorder where the legs are fused together, creating an appearance similar to a mermaid’s tail.
A large crowd gathered at Sahi Ram Hospital to witness this unique case, and Dr. Arya mentioned the impossibility of determining the gender due to the severity of the condition. Sirenomelia, often referred to as ‘Mermaid syndrome,’ is a life-threatening illness marked by the fusion and rotation of the legs in the womb, resulting in a single limb resembling a fish tail.
Medical historian Lindsey Fitzharris explained that the condition occurs due to a failure in the normal vascular supply when the umbilical cord fails to form two arteries. This leads to insufficient blood supply to the fetus, causing malnutrition and the failure to develop two separate limbs. Sirenomelia is extremely rare, affecting one in 100,000 babies, with a higher likelihood in identical twins.
This case is the fourth reported instance of mermaid syndrome globally and the first in India. Dr. Vandana Arya highlighted that various factors could contribute to this condition, such as excessive medicine intake, vitamin deficiency, genetics, past history, or maternal diabetes. Unfortunately, due to the improper development of the body, surgical intervention is generally not possible. In extremely rare cases, kidney transplantation may be an option, but the survival rate remains very low.
The rarity and severity of Sirenomelia make it a highly fatal condition, with most cases resulting in death within days of birth due to kidney and bladder failure. Despite advancements in medical understanding, the odds are still against those born with this condition. The Sahranpur case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges associated with rare congenital disorders and the importance of continued research and awareness.
