1-Introduction
Pentalogy of Cantrell (OMIM 313850) is an exceedingly rare malformation
characterized by the presence of five cardinal congenital birth defects,
affecting the lower sternum, the anterior diaphragm, the diaphragmatic
pericardium, the mid-line/ventral supraumbilical abdominal wall region,
and the heart.
Initially described by Cantrell in 1958 [1]and subsequently revised
by Toyama in 1972 [2], the incidence of Cantrell’s Pentalogy is
exceptionally low, with only 1 in 5.5 million live births being affected
[3]. Despite a total of 250 published cases, a mere 15 have been
reported from sub-Saharan Africa. This paper presents the first
comprehensive case of Cantrell’s pentalogy from Togo, accompanied by a
review of other reported cases across Africa.