Sirenomelia is a rare, genetic, developmental defect during embryogenesis disorder characterized by fusion of the lower limbs and associated with some degree of lower extremity reduction and persistent vitelline artery. Patients also present severe malformations of the musculoskeletal system (e.g. sacral agenesis), as well as the urogenital and lower gastrointestinal tracts (e.g. renal agenesis, absent bladder, rectal/anal atresia, and absent internal genitalia). Most cases are stillborn, or die during, or shortly after, birth.

Incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube, whereby some vertebral arches remain unfused and open. The mildest form is spina bifida occulta, followed by meningocele and meningomyelocele.