A Meckel-like syndrome?

The problem of the major clinical pathological signs required for the diagnosis of the Meckel syndrome is presented. A case showing only one of the three major signs of the syndrome is described. It is concluded that at present some cases showing only one major sign and a combination of minor signs could be interpreted in two alternative ways: 1) That they are cases of the real syndrome with unusually few manifestations. 2) That they are phenocopies or are examples of a Meckel-like syndrome without an etiological relation to the classical syndrome. Follow-up of the families and the presence or absence of typical cases of Meckel syndrome among siblings may help in deciding between the above possibilities.