Fetal Valproate Syndrome.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

There have been several reports of congenital malformations in the offspring of mothers who took valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy as a treatment for epilepsy.

METHODS:

Herein, we describe four cases with typically similar facial features of fetal valproate syndrome accompanied to minor skeletal abnormalities.

RESULTS:

The first case was a 16-month-old girl, presenting with facial dysmorphism, and finger abnormalities. Her mother took VPA (1500 mg/d) up to the 10th gestational week and at a dosage of 1000 mg/d through the pregnancy. The second patient was 5-year-old boy with speech disability, bilateral cryptorchidism, facial dysmorphism, and finger abnormalities whose mother took VPA (1000 mg/d) through pregnancy. The third 19-month-old patient was the brother of the second patient who had facial dysmorphism, bilateral cryptorchidism, and finger abnormalities. His mother also took VPA (1000 mg/d) through pregnancy. The fourth 3-year and 6 month-old boy with minor facial dysmorphism and sternum deformity was exposed to VPA (500 mg/d) in utero.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, there is a recognizable spectrum of abnormalities in some infants exposed to VPA without dose-depence and the common facial dysmorphic features and minor skeletal abnormalities that may occur within the both low and high dose VPA use.

• Authors: Hatice Mutlu-Albayrak, Cahide Bulut, Hüseyin Çaksen
• Journal: Pediatrics and neonatology (Pediatr Neonatol) Vol. 58 Issue 2 Pg. 158-164 (04 2017) ISSN: 2212-1692 [Electronic] Singapore
• PMID: 27422007 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Valproic Acid

Topics

• Abnormalities, Drug-Induced (etiology)
• Anticonvulsants (adverse effects)
• Child, Preschool
• Craniofacial Abnormalities (chemically induced)
• Cryptorchidism (chemically induced)
• Epilepsy (drug therapy)
• Female
• Fingers (abnormalities)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications (drug therapy)
• Sternum (abnormalities)
• Valproic Acid (adverse effects)