UNILATERAL LOWER LIMB PHOCOMELIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: ETHICAL DILEMMA FROM AN OBSTETRICIAN’S PERSPECTIVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32553/ijmsdr.v4i9.674Keywords:
Phocomelia, Limb abnormality, MTP, COVID-19Abstract
Isolated unilateral phocomelia is a rare congenital disorder. Historically, the most famous association with consumption of thalidomide in first trimester of pregnancy resulted in babies born with limbs resembling flippers of a seal. Genetic inheritance in the form of autosomal recessive manner is also postulated. It can be sporadic, familial or syndromic.
On account of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, suspension of non-emergency services including OPDs in majority of the hospitals led to diversion of resources for combatting emergency medical care. This temporary pause and containment was detrimental to non-COVID patients. We present a rare case of unilateral phocomelia where lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in denial of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP).