Prenatal Diagnosis of Sirenomelia: Cluster of Three Cases

Mamatha Gowda; Jyotsna Sharma; Monica Thiagarajan; Vasanthan Thanigasalam; Deepak Bharathi; Devika Ramesh

doi:10.1007/s40556-019-00192-z

Journal of Fetal Medicine, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Fetal Medicine 2019; 06(01): 35-39
DOI: 10.1007/s40556-019-00192-z

Brief Communication

Prenatal Diagnosis of Sirenomelia: Cluster of Three Cases

Mamatha Gowda

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), New Type 5B quarters, JIPMER Campus, Dhanvantri Nagar, Gorimedu, Pondicherry, India

,

Jyotsna Sharma

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), New Type 5B quarters, JIPMER Campus, Dhanvantri Nagar, Gorimedu, Pondicherry, India

,

Monica Thiagarajan

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), New Type 5B quarters, JIPMER Campus, Dhanvantri Nagar, Gorimedu, Pondicherry, India

,

Vasanthan Thanigasalam

²Neonatology Department, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India

,

Deepak Bharathi

³Department of Radiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India

,

Devika Ramesh

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), New Type 5B quarters, JIPMER Campus, Dhanvantri Nagar, Gorimedu, Pondicherry, India

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

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Abstract

Sirenomelia is an extremely rare anomaly characterised by varying degrees of fusion of lower limbs. Anomalies involving uro-genital tract, colo-rectal atresia and vertebral defects are often associated. Prognosis largely depends upon concomitant visceral malformations as well as the degree of fusion defect. Classical sirenomelia is incompatible with life although there are few report of survivors. Prenatal diagnosis, though possible, is difficult to make due to associated anhydramnios and anomalies. Ultrasound is the main diagnostic modality with fetal MRI playing a complementary role. We describe three cases of fetal sirenomelia that presented within a span of 1 year and propose possible vascular insult as the cause.

Keywords

Fetal sirenomelia - Prenatal diagnosis - Mermaid syndrome - Sympus dipus - Sympus apus - VATER/VACTERL association - Caudal regression syndrome

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