Caudal regression syndrome, or sacral agenesis (or hypoplasia of the sacrum), is a rare birth defect. It is a congenital disorder in which the fetal development of the lower spine—the caudal partition of the spine—is abnormal. It occurs at a rate of approximately one per 60,000 live births.Some babies are born with very small differences compared to typical development, and others have significant changes. Most grow up to be otherwise typical adults who have difficulty with walking and incontinence. Signs and symptoms
This condition exists in a variety of forms, ranging from partial absence of the tail bone regions of the spine to absence of the lower vertebrae, pelvis and parts of the thoracic and/or lumbar areas of the spine. In some cases where only a small part of the spine is absent, there may be no outward sign of the condition. In cases where more substantial areas of the spine are absent, there may be fused, webbed or smaller lower extremities and paralysis. Bowel and bladder control is usually affected. Cause
The condition arises from some factor or set of factors present during approximately the 3rd week to 7th week of fetal development. Formation of the sacrum/lower back and corresponding nervous system is usually nearing completion by the 4th week of development. Due to abnormal gastrulation, the mesoderm migration is disturbed. This disturbance results in symptoms varying from minor lesions of the lower vertebrae to more severe symptoms such as complete fusion of the lower limbs.
Society and culture
Notable people
Zion Clark, American track athlete and wrestler, 2022 Guinness World Record holder (20m hand sprint in 4.78 seconds)
Rebecca Dubber, New Zealand para-swimmer and Rio 2016 Paralympic bronze medalist
Kenny Easterday, played a fictionalized version of himself in the film Kenny
Johnny Eck, American freak show performer
Kurt Fearnley, Australian wheelchair racer
Chloé Cooper Jones, American philosopher and author
Bobby Martin, American footballer
Kevin McKee, two-times Olympic champion and two-times world champion in sledge hockey
Sainimili Naivalu, Fijian wheelchair table tennis medallist and disability rights activists
Victoria Pendergast, first female Australian sit-skier at Winter Paralympics
Jessica Rogers, American wheelchair racer and swimmer, founder and President of iSACRA (International Caudal Regression Syndrome Association)
Rose Siggins, actress (American Horror Story: Freak Show)

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