Management and treatment of meromelia

Congenital absence of one or more limbs, meromelia, is relatively rare. Without proper treatment the child may develop emotional disturbances in addition to the physical defect, with undermining of the relationship with the family. Over the past 15 years considerable experience in the treatment of this condition by a therapeutic staff including a physician specialized in this field, a psychologist, a social worker and an expert fitter of prostheses has been accumulated. We recommend that babies born with meromelia be referred as soon as possible for examination, after which the parents should be given comprehensive and reliable counseling and instruction, and an all-inclusive program of treatment should be established. In our opinion the provision of a suitable prosthesis at no more than 6 months of age assures successful treatment.