[Aplasia cutis congenita and antithyroid drugs during pregnancy: Case series and literature review].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) following in utero exposure to antithyroid drugs such as methimazole/carbimazole (MTZ/CMZ) has been reported since 1972. Though currently included in MTZ/CMZ embryopathy, it remains poorly characterized and is little discussed. Having seen two cases within a short period of time, we carried out a literature review and searched the French pharmacovigilance database for notification of cases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We performed a search of the literature in the Medline database using the following keywords: "aplasia cutis congenita", "birth skin defects", "pregnancy" and "drug". All articles reporting cases of ACC following in utero exposure to antithyroid drugs were included. All cases of ACC under antithyroid drugs reported to French pharmacovigilance centres were analysed.

RESULTS:

Three hundred and sixty-eight articles were retrieved and 31 were analysed, including a further 4, mentioned in selected articles, giving 59 cases of ACC under MTZ/CMZ reported in the literature and having an intrinsic accountability score of plausible or dubious. ACC was typically isolated, single, small in size, and localised on the median scalp area. Exposure occurred in the first weeks of gestation. There were 6 familial cases involving siblings. Ten ACC and MTZ/CMZ cases were reported to pharmacovigilance centres in France.

DISCUSSION:

Practitioners should be aware of ACC following MTZ/CMZ exposure in utero, whether it occurs in isolation or not. It is likely a teratogenic effect of MTZ/CMZ enhanced by a genetic predisposition.

• Authors: C Sachs, M Tebacher-Alt, M Mark, B Cribier, D Lipsker
• Journal: Annales de dermatologie et de venereologie (Ann Dermatol Venereol) 2016 Jun-Jul Vol. 143 Issue 6-7 Pg. 423-35 ISSN: 0151-9638 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Aplasie cutanée congénitale et antithyroïdiens de synthèse au cours de la grossesse : série de cas et revue de la littérature.
• PMID: 27033749 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antithyroid Agents
• Methimazole
• Carbimazole

Topics

• Antithyroid Agents (adverse effects)
• Carbimazole (adverse effects)
• Ectodermal Dysplasia (chemically induced)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Methimazole (adverse effects)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications (drug therapy)
• Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
• Thyroid Diseases (drug therapy)