Baby born with mermaid-like legs in India (graphic photo)

A baby astonished doctors in India when it was born with a rare condition known as 'Mermaid syndrome.'

Tragically the newborn, whose legs had fused together to resemble the mythical creature, only lived for about ten minutes.

Dr Vandana Arya, 35, a gynaecologist at the hospital who delivered the baby, said: 'I have never seen a case like this before.

'We have seen congenital disorders amongst children born with deformities, but this was an extremely rare case. 
'The baby was born in a fish-like body, and had its hands spread like fins, which made this case even more unique.

'The upper body of the baby was absolutely functional but the lower body was not developed.' 

Dr Arya said the condition meant it was impossible to determine the gender of the baby. 

Sirenomelia, also known as 'Mermaid syndrome' is a life-threatening illness, marked by the rotation and fusion of a sufferer's legs.

The rare congenital deformity causes what looks like a single limb, resembling a fish tail, in the womb.

Source Daily Mail