Finally, phocomelia occurs when only a mid-portion of a limb is missing; for example when the hands or feet are directly attached to the trunk of the body.
One example includes the thalidomide tragedy that occurred in the 1960s when pregnant mothers were given a tranquilizer that contained the harmful drug, which produced an increase in children born without limbs.
One procedure that is helpful in determining this condition in an infant is an ultrasound examination of a fetus when still in the mother's abdomen as it can reveal the absence of a limb.
[citation needed] The most popular method of treatment for congenital amputation is having the child be fit for a prosthesis which can lead to normal development, so the muscles don't atrophy.
[citation needed] In rare cases of amniotic banding syndrome, if diagnosed in utero, fetal surgery may be considered to save a limb which is in danger of amputation.