Doctors in Brazil were astonished by a rare medical case in which a baby girl was born with a six-centimetre tail on her back. This unusual medical anomaly has been published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports.1
A 6 cm skin-covered soft tissue tail developing from the lumbosacral region was observed during the physical examination (Figure 1).1,2 The mother had no history of drug use or illness, and the baby was born through a caesarean section at full term. The infant did not exhibit any neurological deficits or physical abnormalities besides the tail.2
After a postnatal MRI, the baby was diagnosed with spina bifida, a congenital anomaly resulting from improper spinal cord development. This condition created a gap in the baby’s spine, leading to the development of the tail. Due to spina bifida, the case was classified as a human pseudo-tail (vestigial and resulted from a failure of regression during embryonic development).1,2
Figure 1: Newborn baby born with a 6-cm-long pseudo tail.2 Image credit: sciencedirect.com
Surgeons quickly removed the skin-covered appendage (pseudo-tail) during surgery, and the spinal defect was closed using a muscle flap.2
The patient is presently three years old and is receiving meticulous long-term monitoring. Over this period, she experienced three episodes of urinary tract infection, which were effectively treated with antibiotics. Further examinations did not reveal any abnormalities in her urinary system. Additionally, the patient can walk without difficulty and did not experience any constipation, neurological impairments, or other complications.2
Conclusion2
The presence of a fetal caudal appendage requires careful screening for spinal cord defects, and identifying associated anomalies is crucial for proper treatment planning and counselling. Surgical resection and close follow-up in a multidisciplinary setting are recommended to avoid complications and alleviate social stigma.
References
- Baby Girl With 6-Centimetre Tail Born In Brazil. NDTV. [Cited: 28 February 2023]. Available from: https://www.ndtv.com/feature/baby-girl-with-6-centimetre-tail-born-in-brazil-3795418
- Cunha SC, Eid F, Peiro L, et al. Human tail with occult spinal dysraphism and dermal sinus in children. J Pediatr Surg Case Rep 2023; 90: 102554. DOI: 10.1016/j.epsc.2022.102554
