The congenital deformity known as mermaid syndrome is a very rare birth deformity, in mutant genetic...

1. Mermaid Syndrome Facts
The congenital deformity known as mermaid syndrome is a very rare birth deformity, in mutant
genetic gladiators hack fact as rare as conjoined twins. The only problem with it is that it is lethal for
the newborn baby and most often than not requires immediate surgeries. This article is for arming
you with all the possible information about this condition in newborns, so here we start with the
facts about this syndrome.
Crucial Facts
It is also known as sirenomelia, as mentioned earlier.
It is such a rare birth defect that only 1 in every 70,000 births is known to have it.
There are only over 300 (reported) live births of such babies.
More often than not, the condition proves fatal for the baby. In fact, very few survive it even after
surgery.
Half the cases are usually seen as stillbirths, while it is hundred times more likely to occur in
identical twins.
This disorder was initially mistaken with Caudal Regression Syndrome, but was later reiterated as
an independent sirenomelia mermaid syndrome.
The Underlying Defect
This birth defect is caused by the abnormal formation of the umbilical cord blood vessels. While most
normal fetuses have two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein, the sirenomelia fetus just has
one. If a sirenomelia baby does have two arteries (which is extremely rare) it is mostly blocked. With
one umbilical artery (vitelline artery) providing blood to the fetus, it is obvious that normal growth of
the fetus is not possible. This artery steals the blood and nutrition from the lower body of the fetus
and diverts it back up to the placenta. Due to this malnutrition, the lower limbs of the fetus fail to
develop and separate into two limbs.
Often, this syndrome comes with other life-threatening abnormalities. The lower side malnutrition
also results in malformed kidneys and internal or external genitalia. Even worse, this problem
causes the large intestine to misplace itself within the abdomen of the baby and sometimes even the
anus is imperforate (has no opening).
Severity Levels
The mermaid syndrome malfunction can be seen in various levels of severity. The range of severity
for this birth defect is as follows:
Mild Mermaid Syndrome
Here, the sirenomelia baby has two limbs fused into one, only to the extent of the skin. The feet may
be fully formed and many are only attached at the ankles. All the three main bones of the leg are

2. fully and correctly formed. In this situation, a small surgery can easily correct the deformity.
Severe Mermaid Syndrome
The severe form of this syndrome is very difficult to even imagine. The things that are externally
visible are both limbs that are completely joined, appear tapered and are ill-formed. There is a
complete absence of foot structures and out of the three, only two bones are present in the entire
limb. Other internal damage can only be accessed with medical tests and X-rays.
Causes
Scientists and medical professionals are still debating the causes of this birth defect in newborns.
There are, however, a few unconfirmed theories going around, regarding the causes. They are as
listed below:
Illness suffered during pregnancy, either by the expecting mother or directly by the fetus
Poor prenatal care by the expectant mother
Genetic abnormalities either in the genes of the mother or the genes of the father
Survivor Facts
Believe it or not guys, in the entire medical history of the world, there are only two known survivors
of mermaid syndrome, both girls. Mermaid syndrome girl
Shiloh Pepin (born in 1999) recently died in October 2009
, after defying her doctors, who claimed that she would not live past a few days from her birth. The
girl lived to be ten years old and can be given the credit for spreading more awareness by appearing

3. on television shows like the Oprah Winfrey Show.
The two survivors are Tiffany Yorks and Milagros Cerron.
Tiffany Yorks is the oldest survivor of mermaid syndrome and was born with the defect in 1980
. Unfortunately, she had more problems than just fused legs. She was born without a bladder which
had to be surgically put in. She had about five surgeries before she was one, to separate her legs
and correct her other internal problems. She has had many more surgeries all throughout her youth,
for her mermaid syndrome has caused her many problems even after the ones she had corrected
earlier.
Peru born
Milagros Cerron was born in 2004 and is also a valiant survivor
of the mermaid syndrome. She, too, had numerous other complications to go with her already severe
condition. She was not only born with just one kidney, but it was later found that both her digestive
tract and genitals were one single tube. Like the 'miracle' that her name means in Spanish, this girl
born in a poor Spanish family received all her medical treatment at the expense of the Lima
Government. This Spanish girl was left almost mute by the intense medical treatment that she went
through, but she has, today, overcome that trauma, too.
The causes of this syndrome are not known for sure. As a precautionary measure, a pregnant woman
can get a sonogram done (in case of doubts), and as per the advice of a doctor, can get her
pregnancy terminated.
Researching on this article made me so thankful to God that I have so many reasons to say 'I am
blessed'. I hope reading this makes you feel lucky as well. Cherish what you have for there are some
really atrocious things out there, that you are lucky to not have faced. So friends "Stop Complaining
and Start Thanking".
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a
replacement for expert medical advice.