Phocomelia

WikiDoc Resources for Phocomelia
Articles
Most recent articles on Phocomelia Most cited articles on Phocomelia Review articles on Phocomelia Articles on Phocomelia in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Phocomelia Images of Phocomelia Photos of Phocomelia Podcasts & MP3s on Phocomelia Videos on Phocomelia
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Phocomelia Bandolier on Phocomelia TRIP on Phocomelia
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Phocomelia at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Phocomelia Clinical Trials on Phocomelia at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Phocomelia NICE Guidance on Phocomelia NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Phocomelia CDC on Phocomelia
Books
Books on Phocomelia
News
Phocomelia in the news Be alerted to news on Phocomelia News trends on Phocomelia
Commentary
Blogs on Phocomelia
Definitions
Definitions of Phocomelia
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Phocomelia Discussion groups on Phocomelia Patient Handouts on Phocomelia Directions to Hospitals Treating Phocomelia Risk calculators and risk factors for Phocomelia
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Phocomelia Causes & Risk Factors for Phocomelia Diagnostic studies for Phocomelia Treatment of Phocomelia
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Phocomelia
International
Phocomelia en Espanol Phocomelia en Francais
Business
Phocomelia in the Marketplace Patents on Phocomelia
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Phocomelia

Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Phocomelia (from Greek φoko = "seal" plus μέλος (plural μέλεα) = "limb") is a congenital disorder involving the limbs (dysmelia). An individual exhibiting phocomelia may be referred to as a phocomelus.

Presentation

It presents at birth very short or absent long bones and flipper-like appearance of hands and sometimes feet. Amphibian deformities often take the form of phocomelia, in which the limbs are shortened due to lack or malformation of long bones, as opposed to other forms of dysmelia such as amelia, which is characterized by the complete lack of a limb, or polymelia, the presence of extra limbs, which are often fused together.

Causes

The condition may be inherited or occurs sporadically. It is also connected with prenatal exposure to the anti-nausea drug thalidomide.

Notable cases

Famous phocomelic people include Stanley Berent, also known as "Sealo The Seal Boy" (who made his living from performing / being exhibited in "freak shows") and, more currently, actor Mat Fraser, opera singer Thomas Quasthoff, guitarist Rick Renstrom and artist Alison Lapper. Marc Quinn's 15-foot-high nude sculpture of Alison Lapper Pregnant is shown on the formerly-vacant fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. Hee Ah Lee is a renowned pianist with only two fingers on each hand.

External links

• Template:GPnotebook