Congenital diplopodia

Area of Science:

• Medical Genetics
• Developmental Biology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Diplopodia, or duplicated foot, is an extremely rare congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of supernumerary metatarsal and tarsal bones alongside extra digits.
• It is distinct from polydactyly due to the involvement of underlying bone structures.

Observation:

• This report details a rare case of diplopodia in a newborn male.
• The anomaly affected the left lower extremity, presenting as a duplicated foot.
• The infant also had an imperforate anus, noted without any history of intrauterine teratogen exposure.

Findings:

• The case confirms the existence of diplopodia as a distinct congenital malformation.
• The co-occurrence of diplopodia and imperforate anus in a neonate without teratogen exposure is a significant clinical observation.

Implications:

• This case contributes to the limited literature on diplopodia, aiding in understanding its phenotypic variability.
• Further research into the genetic and developmental pathways underlying diplopodia and associated anomalies is warranted.
• Improved diagnostic and management strategies for rare congenital limb malformations may benefit from such case reports.