Phocomelia is a condition that involves malformations of human arms and legs. Although many factors can cause phocomelia, the prominent roots come from the use of the drug thalidomide and from genetic inheritance. Occurrence in an individual results in various abnormalities to the face, limbs, ears, nose, vessels and many other underdevelopments. Although operations may improve some abnormalities, many are not surgically treatable due to the lack of nerves and other related structures. The term is from Ancient Greek φώκη phōkē, "seal (animal)" + -o- interfix + μέλος melos, "limb" + English suffix -ia). Phocomelia is an extremely rare congenital disorder involving malformation of the limbs (dysmelia). Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire coined the term in 1836. Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of phocomelia syndrome are undeveloped limbs and absent pelvic bones; however, various abnormalities can occur to the limbs and bones. Usually the upper limbs are not fully formed and sections of the "hands and arms may be missing." Short arm bones, fused fingers, and missing thumbs will often occur. Sometimes hands or fingers will be present but limp due to having no bones or being loosely attached. Legs and feet are also affected similarly to the arms and hands. Individuals with phocomelia will often lack thigh bones, and the hands or feet may be abnormally small or appear as stumps due to their close "attachment to the body. "According to National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), individuals carrying phocomelia syndrome will generally show symptoms of growth retardation previous to and after birth.
She did not qualify for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, but she trained for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Thomas Quasthoff, an opera singer. Nick Vujicic, evangelist, motivational speaker, author, and director of Life Without Limbs. Eli Bowen, who made his living performing in sideshows. Hee Ah Lee, a pianist who has two fingers on each hand. Rahma Haruna was born in Nigeria with severe phocomelia. She had no limbs, except for a partially formed right hand that was attached to her axilla. Rahmas story came out when a local journalist saw her on the street with her brother, after which the story was shared widely on social media. She died at the age of 19, on 25 December 2016. Enos Stutsman, Pioneer settler of North Dakota. Namesake of Stutsman County. Beknur Zhanibek is a Kazakh singer, born with phocomelia. He represented Kazakhstan in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021. References


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