Rare Mermaid Baby Born in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari: What is Sirenomelia Syndrome?

Digital Desk

In a shocking medical rarity, a baby with Mermaid Syndrome, also known as Sirenomelia, was born at Dhamtari District Hospital on October 1, 2025. The unusual birth left doctors and medical staff stunned, highlighting one of the world's rarest congenital defects affecting approximately 1 in 100,000 newborns globally.

The 28-year-old mother arrived at the hospital for delivery, but scans revealed a complete absence of amniotic fluid around the fetus—a critical condition prompting an immediate cesarean section. Dr. Ragini Singh Thakur, a gynecologist at the facility, performed the procedure. "The baby's upper body was fully developed, including eyes, nose, and heart. However, below the spine, development was severely impaired. The lower limbs were fused into a single tail-like structure, resembling a mermaid's tail, with no genitals formed," Dr. Thakur explained.

Weighing just 800 grams, the infant was alive at birth and placed on oxygen support, surviving for about three hours before passing away. Dr. Thakur noted that this marks only the second such case in her career, underscoring the syndrome's extreme rarity. According to medical literature from the International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, only around 300 cases have been documented worldwide since 1542.

What causes Mermaid Syndrome? Experts like Dr. Thakur state there's no definitive reason, though certain medications taken during early pregnancy could contribute. In India, a similar incident occurred in Uttar Pradesh in 2016, where the baby survived merely 10 minutes.

This heartbreaking event in Chhattisgarh draws attention to prenatal health and the need for advanced screening. Families affected by such rare birth defects often face emotional and medical challenges. Health authorities urge expectant mothers to consult specialists for regular check-ups to mitigate risks.