Phocomelia
Phocomelia
Phocomelia (/foʊkoʊˈmiːliə/; from Ancient Greek φώκη phōkē "seal" + μέλος melos "limb") is a condition that involves malformations of the arms and legs. Although phocomelia is a rare congenital disorder, it became widely known in the early 1960s due to an increase in cases caused by the use of the drug Thalidomide.
Definition
Phocomelia is characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of the proximal portions of the limbs (the femur and humerus) and the presence of the hands and feet attached close to the body, resembling the flippers of a seal. This condition can affect one limb (monomelic), two limbs (dimelic), three limbs (trimelic), or all four limbs (tetramelic).
Causes
Phocomelia can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, exposure to certain drugs or chemicals during pregnancy, or a combination of these factors. The most notorious cause of phocomelia is the drug Thalidomide, which was prescribed to pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s to alleviate morning sickness. Other potential causes include exposure to radiation or certain chemicals, such as dioxin or warfarin.
Treatment
There is no cure for phocomelia, but physical and occupational therapy can help individuals with this condition to develop skills and strategies to manage their daily activities. In some cases, prosthetic limbs may be used to improve mobility and independence.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Phocomelia
- Wikipedia's article - Phocomelia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski