Sirenomelia: report of two cases

Sirenomelia is a serious congenital deformity in which the legs are fused together, giving the appearance of a mermaid [of the Greek Mythology], Its prevalence has been estimated at about 1, 5 to 2 in 100 000 births. We report two cases of foetuses with Sirenomelia. The first case is that of a premature baby weighing 1050g. The second case is a premature baby resulting from a triple pregnancy and weighing 1450g. They presented a fused lower limb and absent kidneys, anus and external genitalia. They died rapidly. These two cases will allow us to debate the clinical signs, the aetiology and the prognosis of such congenital malformation as well as the difficulties of prenatal diagnosis

Metoclopramid methemoglobinemia: a rare cause of neonatal cyanosis

The authors report three cases of methemoglobinemia diagnosed in premature. The new-borns presented isolated cyanosis. All explorations were normal. Diagnosis of methemoglobinemia was confirmed by a high blood rate of methemoglobin. Over dose of metoclopramid related to an error of its administration was noted. The authors recall physio-pathology, diagnosis, causes and treatment of acquired methemoglobinemia, while insisting on necessity of primary prevention