«Mermaid syndrome»: Two clinical cases and a literature review
https://doi.org/10.25789/YMJ.2026.93.31
Abstract
This study synthesizes data from current literature with a retrospective analysis of two clinical cases of sirenomelia and establishes the regional incidence of the condition within the Kurgan Region, Russia. In both cases, the lower limb fusion was accompanied by lethal visceral anomalies. The reported cases were identified via first-trimester combined prenatal screening utilizing ultrasound imaging, highlighting the critical utility of this method in the diagnosis of sirenomelia. Notably, cytogenetic analysis revealed a normal karyotype in both instances. Consequently, this study reinforces the consensus that early, expert-level sonographic assessment constitutes the definitive clinical strategy for the identification of complex, lethal fetal anomalies, thereby facilitating timely decision-making regarding pregnancy management.
About the Authors
E. V. KnyshRussian Federation
O. E. Knysh
Russian Federation
E. V. Kudryavtseva
Russian Federation
V. V. Kovalev
Russian Federation
References
1. Mandlik MD, Mali KA, Bora A, et.al.: A Tale of Two Mermaids. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2023;73(Suppl 2):287-289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-023-01861-w. PMID: 38143978; PMCID: PMC10746650.
2. Ramphul K, Mejias SG, Ramphul-Sicharam Y. Mermaid Syndrome: A Case Report in Mauritius. Cureus. 2018 Feb;10(2):e2210. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2210. PMID: 29686952; PMCID: PMC5910014.
3. Kavunga EK, Bunduki GK, Mumbere M, Masumbuko CK. Sirenomelia associated with an anterior abdominal wall defect: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2019 Jul;13(1):213. Published 2019 Jul 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-019-2162-0. PMID: 31300067; PMCID: PMC6626367.
4. Samal SK, Rathod S. Sirenomelia: The mermaid syndrome: Report of two cases. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2015 Jan;6(1):264-266. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-9668.149227. PMID: 25810681; PMCID: PMC4367057.
5. Alina V, Maghiar O, Cuc R, et al. Sirenomelia with associated systemic anomalies - an autopsy report in a full term neonate. Pol J Pathol. 2022;73(3):277-280. https://doi.org/10.5114/pjp.2022.124494. PMID: 36734442.
6. Garrido-Allepuz C, Haro E, González-Lamuño D, et.al. A clinical and experimental overview of sirenomelia: insight into the mechanisms of congenital limb malformations. Dis Model Mech. 2011;4(3):289-299. https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.007732. PMID: 21504909; PMCID: PMC3097451.
7. Tamene A, Molla M. Sirenomelia. A case report. SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2022 Apr;10:2050313X221092560. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050313X221092560. PMID: 35449530; PMCID: PMC9016573.
8. Tanigasalam V, Gowda M, Plakkal N, et.al. Sirenomelia with VACTERL association-a rare anomaly. Pediatr Neonatol. 2018;59(4):410-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedneo.2017.09.007. PMID: 29031871.
9. Das BB, Rajegowda BK, Bainbridge R, Giampietro PF. Caudal regression syndrome versus sirenomelia: a case report. J Perinatol. 2002;22(2):168-170. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210598. PMID: 11896526.
10. Kitova T., Uchikova E., Uchikov P., Kitov B. Sirenomelia Associated with VACTERL and VACTERL-H Syndrome. International Journal of Morphology. 2020;38(3):793–798. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95022020000300793
11. Shojaee A, Ronnasian F, Behnam M, Salehi M. Sirenomelia: two case reports. J Med Case Rep. 2021 Apr;15(1):217. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-021-02699-4. PMID: 33902682; PMCID: PMC8077960.
12. Morales-Roselló J, Loscalzo G, Buongiorno S, et.al. Sirenomelia, case report and review of the literature. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022;35(6):1203-1206. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2020.1742693. PMID: 32216506.
13. Stocker JT, Heifetz SA. Sirenomelia. A morphological study of 33 cases and review of the literature. Perspect Pediatr Pathol. 1987;10:7-50. PMID: 3588246.
14. Shi X, Kong F, Wu G, Shi Y. Prenatal sirenomelia diagnosis in the first trimester: A case report and literature review. Clin Case Rep. 2023 Nov;11(12):e8146. https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.8146. PMID: 38033683; PMCID: PMC10683041.
15. Subtil D, Cosson M, Houfflin V, Vaast P, Valat A, Puech F. Early detection of caudal regression syndrome: specific interest and findings in three cases. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1998;80(1):109-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-2115(98)00075-x. PMID: 9758271.
Review
For citations:
Knysh E.V., Knysh O.E., Kudryavtseva E.V., Kovalev V.V. «Mermaid syndrome»: Two clinical cases and a literature review. Yakut Medical Journal. 2026;(1):144-148. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25789/YMJ.2026.93.31
JATS XML









