8How Common Is Mermaid Syndrome and Which Conditions Are Related to Mermaid Syndrome?
Mermaid syndrome is extremely rare. It is so rare that the precise incidence can be challenging to measure. Scientists believe that the condition may affect around 1 out of 60000 to 100000 newborn babies. Male infants are 3 times more likely to develop mermaid syndrome than female infants. The frequency is higher in identical or monozygotic twins than in individuals or fraternal or dizygotic twins. [9]
Symptoms of mermaid syndrome may be similar to those of the following conditions:
– Caudal regression syndrome: This is a rare condition that causes abnormal growth of the lower part of the spine. It may lead to many complications, such as urinary incontinence, clubfeet, contractures, and damaged or disrupted spinal cord.
– VACTERL association: This disorder involves birth defects that impact multiple organs in the body. VACTERL stands for Vertebral abnormalities, Anal atresia, Cardiac defects, Tracheal anomalies, Esophageal atresia, Renal and radial abnormalities, and Limb abnormalities. [10]
