Is urorectal septum malformation sequence a variant of the vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, renal defects and radial dysplasia association? Report of a case and a review of the literature

The urorectal septum malformation sequence (URSMS) consists of multiple systems anomalies including ambiguous genitalia, the absence of a perineal opening, an imperforate anus, and urogenital, colonic and lumbosacral anomalies. We describe a 3-day-old female infant with characteristic URSMS and review its clinical manifestations, outcomes and putative pathogenesis. We also compare its characteristics with those of the vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, renal defects and radial dysplasia (VATER) association. Conclusion: Although defects of the urorectal septum malformation sequence and the vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, renal defects and radial dysplasia association overlap, we believe that they are separate entities. Differentiating the urorectal septum malformation sequence from vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, renal defects and radial dysplasia association is helpful to develop appropriate clinical investigations and search for the aetiology and pathogenesis of these diseases.