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What is Phocomelia?

Phocomelia is a rare innate disorderliness that leads to curt limbs . It is present at birth .

The types and rigour vary which means it might affect one limb , upper or lower , or all the four limb . It is more commonly found affecting the upper limb .

The condition deliver itself in the following way :

In severe cases , the hand and infantry may be directly attached to the trunk .

Phocomelia is related to issues in early pregnancy as it is during this time the foetus begins to develop limb .

Causes of Phocomelia

Though undecipherable , there are believed to be multiple factors that can guide to this shape .

Genetic Syndrome

Phocomelia is associated with an anomaly in chromosome 8 and can be passed down within families . It is an autosomal recessionary trait which means both the parents need to have it in order for a youngster to suffer from it .

Thalidomide-Induced Phocomelia

If a female parent takes thalidomide during the first trimester of maternity , there are chances of the baby tolerate from phocomelia .

Thalidomide is a sedative that was prescribe to reducemorning sicknessandnauseaduring pregnancy . Because of various side effects , it was draw off as a pregnancy drug . It caused birth defects in more than 10000 baby around the world.(1,2 )

Thalidomide is now used to handle conditions such asCrohn ’s disease , multiple myeloma , and leprosy . If this drug is prescribe , make certain there is no pregnancy .

Other Causes of Phocomelia

The stick with factors during gestation can also contribute to phocomelia :

Symptoms of Phocomelia

Shortened or missing branch is a major symptom of phocomelia . The circumstance might also affect eyes , ears , nozzle , growth , and cognition .

Phocomelia can admit the stick with symptoms in addition :

Together these symptoms are known as thalidomide syndrome or thalidomide embryopathy .

Severe symptoms of phocomelia include :

Phocomelia Treatment

There is no treatment for seal limbs but the symptom can be care in the follow ways .

Prosthetics

Prosthetics are the synthetic alternative for the missing limbs that can be tie to the body . It can help add distance to any limb or exchange the absent one .

With the advancement in myoelectric prosthetic limb that can detect electric signal from the nervous organization and muscles , an individual is able to move the limbs without the use of cords and other twist .

This helps make life well-fixed and also improves the quality of life .

Therapies for Phocomelia

There are various forms of rehabilitation therapies for phocomelia such as :

Occupational Therapy : Helps a soul with phocomelia to acquire how to do daily task

Physical Therapy : improve motion strength and carriage

Speech Therapy : It can serve manage talking to

Surgery

If phocomelia is due to genetic sport , surgery is suggested . It is a seldom send word treatment .

Surgery for seal limbs can be recommended to :