Using polymerase chain reaction for rapid sex-determination of a case of sirenomelia

Acta Paediatr Jpn. 1998 Jun;40(3):282-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-200x.1998.tb01929.x.

Abstract

A rare case of sirenomelia with its autopsy findings is reported. The 1188 g infant was delivered by cesarean section at the 36th week of gestation, and died at 4 h of life. Physical and pathologic findings included sirenomelia (a single lower extremity mass), lung hypoplasia, bilateral renal agenesis, blind-ending colon, severe deformity of the bony pelvis, an imperforate anus, absence of the bladder, and a single umbilical artery. Because of the difficulty in determining the sex of the infant, PCR directed against the SRY gene was performed. The PCR-based sex determination is a rapid technique in patients with ambiguous genitalia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy / methods
  • Ectromelia / genetics*
  • Ectromelia / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Karyotyping
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sex Determination Analysis / methods*
  • Y Chromosome / genetics*