Peru's "Little Mermaid" in good condition six months after surgery

Peru's "Little Mermaid," a baby girl who was born with her legs joined together, is making good progress after being operated six months ago, her doctors said on Tuesday.

The 19-month-old Milagros Cerron, who had a rare congenital defect known as sirenomelia, or "mermaid syndrome," was presented to the news media Tuesday six months after undergoing two operations to part her knees and thighs.

Dressed in tiny jeans and a white vest, Milagros, whose names means miracles in Spanish, played vivaciously, giggling and blowing kisses to photographers.

Milagros, who was born in April 2004 in the Andean town of Huancayo, captured the interest of the world for her successful operation.

"Milagros' condition is stable, but she'll need continued treatment and surgery for the next 10 to 15 years," said Dr. Luis Rubio, who has cared for Milagros since her birth.

Rubio said he was pleased with the progress Milagros had made, but cautioned that she still needed operations before she could lead a normal life.

Her genital reconstruction, for instance, will probably wait until adolescence, Rubio said.

Milagros has been attempting to stand up, but is unable to maintain stability because she has no sockets for her hip bones, said Rubio.

The lack of sockets is one of the biggest challenges for the doctors, who hope their operations could help the girl stand up one day, Rubio said.

Milagros, who weighs 20 pounds (9 kg) and is 28 inches (70 cm) tall, has grown considerably in six months but is small for her age, said Rubio. But that was not a concern given her situation, he added.

Source: Xinhua