Peru’s ‘Little Mermaid’ able to move legs
Thirteen-month-old Milagros Cerron was born with a rare defect called mermaid syndrome, or sirenomelia.
This defect often kills sufferers within a few hours of birth.
Doctors hope the girl, whose name means “miracles” in Spanish, will be able to walk by her second birthday.
“Fifteen hours after surgery ended ... her vital signs are stable and she’s awake,” said Dr Luis Rubio, the surgeon who led an 11-member team during the overnight operation.
The chubby-faced girl is responding well to painkillers and antibiotics, Dr Rubio said.
“Her spirits are very high, her crying is energetic, her breathing is good and there is nothing now that could be fatal.”
The mayor of Lima is the girl’s godfather and the city is covering the costs of her treatment.
