Phocomelia

Phocomelia (shortening or absence of upper or lower limbs) is a rare condition in which a baby born with short upper or lower limbs or without limbs. it is a teratogenic effect due to the intake of thalidomide drug by the mother during early pregnancy.

Phocomelia is derived from two Greek words 'Phocos' means 'sealed' and 'melos' means 'limb', that whole word means sealed limbs, as the limbs are attached with the abbreviated arm or trunk and not develop individually as hand or feet. so the Phocomelia is the condition of shortening or absence of upper or lower limbs. its a teratogenic effect due to the drug thalidomide which was given to relieve the symptoms and pain of early pregnancy in mother, before that the teratogenic effects were not known for many drugs.