Fetal hydantoin syndrome is a disorder that is caused by exposure of a fetus to phenytoin, a drug commonly prescribed for epilepsy. The potential forensic role of the fetal anticonvulsant syndrome. Valproic acid is a medication used to treat certain types of. Management of genetic syndromes, third edition is a premier source to guide family physicians, pediatricians, internists, medical geneticists, and genetic counselors in the clinical evaluation and treatment of syndromes. The range and severity of associated abnormalities will vary greatly from one infant to another. Drug is thought to deplete already low levels of fetal vitamin k therefore suppressing the vitamin kdependent coagulation factors ii, vii, ix, and x. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome is caused when the anticonvulsant medicine a. It is also the reference of choice for ancillary health professionals, educators, and families of affected individuals. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome refers to the increased birth prevalence of major malformations and the characteristic pattern of minor anomalies identified in some children born to women who have. Oacs is the only patient led registered charity for fetal anticonvulsant syndrome in the uk and ireland. Characteristics of fetal anticonvulsant syndrome associated. Fetal alcohol syndrome goodreads meet your next favorite book. Ann streissguth this is a gem of a book and a great place to start researching fasfasd.
Facsa is a support group for families and children who have been affected by aeds during pregnancy and have a diagnosis of facs syndrome fvs without the help and dedication of the founding members, we would be at a real loss of which route to take to care for our 3. Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome wikipedia. Facsa fetal anti convulsant syndrome association home. This book on prenatal diagnosis details the most common sonographically detectable fetal syndromes. Mar 17, 2010 management of genetic syndromes, third edition is a premier source to guide family physicians, pediatricians, internists, medical geneticists, and genetic counselors in the clinical evaluation and treatment of syndromes. Dilantin is the brand name of the drug phenytoin sodium in the united states, commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy it may also be called congenital hydantoin syndrome, fetal hydantoin syndrome, dilantin embryopathy, or.
Streissguth is a leading researcher in the field of fas. The foetal anticonvulsant syndrome new zealand chartiable. The abnormalities include low birthweight, facial deformities, and mental retardation, and there appears to be an association with impulsive behavior, anxiousness, and an inability on the part of the affected children to. To evaluate the pattern of abnormalities associated with prenatal anticonvulsant exposure further, we undertook a clinical study of 57 children with fetal anticonvulsant syndromes. The following medications are medically known to be teratogenic during pregnancy sodium valproate 1973 phenytoin 1938 carbamazepine 1963 lamotrigine 1991 topiramate 1995 levetiracetem 2000 epilepsy medicines are. The fetal hydantoin syndrome, a recurrent pattern of minor anomalies that occurs in about 10% of infants born to epileptic women treated with phenytoin during pregnancy, has been recognized for more than 35 years 233. Not all infants exposed to phenytoin will be affected with the disorder.
The type and severity of the difficulties experienced will vary for each individual with facs. Popular fetal alcohol books meet your next favorite book. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome sodium valproate a cover. While many works are judgmental those bad mothers drank while pregnant or ideosyncratic how one person dealt with one particular manifestation of this syndrome, this book brings the reader up to date on current research including discussion of gaps in. Symptoms in affected individuals may include abnormalities of the skull and facial features, growth deficiencies, underdeveloped nails of the fingers and toes, andor mild developmental delays. The first crucial period in pregnancy extends, from fertilization until the end of the first. Developing diagnostic criteria for the fetal anticonvulsant syndromes. The potential forensic role of the fetal anticonvulsant.
Fetal antiepileptic drug syndrome fetal aed syndrome. An additional 30% of children who are exposed during embryonic development show lesser degrees of alteration. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome is a medical condition that arises among the children of mothers who suffer from epilepsy and take a type of drug known or used as an anticonvulsant medication to treat their condition during pregnancy. Pdf characteristics of fetal anticonvulsant syndrome. Fetal hydantoin syndrome an overview sciencedirect topics.
Handbook of genetic counselingfetal hydantoin syndrome. This may help future research to identify risk factors which predispose to an adverse fetal outcome. Mothers of children diagnosed with foetal valproate syndrome fvs are demanding a public inquiry into why they were not warned of the risks of taking an antiepilepsy drug while pregnant. The following medications are medically known to be teratogenic during pregnancy sodium valproate 1973 phenytoin 1938 carbamazepine 1963 lamotrigine 1991 topiramate 1995. Dilantin is the brand name of the drug phenytoin sodium in the united states, commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome is caused when the anticonvulsant medicine a woman takes during pregnancy affects the foetus. The hypersensitivity syndrome is characterized by a rash that is initially rash that appears similar to measles morbilliform.
The group was established in january 1999 and became a registered charity in 2006. Latest figures conclude that up to 40% of babies exposed to sodium valproate will develop neurological defects. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome is a nonfortuitous cluster of a variety of congenital malformations in infants exposed to antiepileptic drugs aeds in utero. Adolescents and adults with fetal alcohol syndrome. To try to address these problems, we developed draft diagnostic criteria based on the model of the marfan syndrome clinical diagnostic nosology7. Mar 26, 20 children suffering from fetal anticonvulsant syndrome suffer from a constellation of physical and neurodevelopmental deficits, and so have to be diagnosed by a medical specialist. Organisation for anticonvulsant syndrome valproate epilim.
Facsa official awareness week during this week facsa hope to raise awareness of the condition. An individual with fetal anticonvulsant syndrome facs may experience a number of difficulties in their speech, language communication and swallowing. Fetal hydantoin syndrome, also called fetal dilantin syndrome is a group of defects caused to the developing fetus by exposure to teratogenic effects of phenytoin. Management of genetic syndromes wiley online books. Women with epilepsy who are pregnant and worried about their medication should not. Denise has become used to having to pave a way for recognition, knowledge, acceptance.
Mothers of children with foetal valproate syndrome demand. Of the five children described by hanson and smith, only one was exposed to phenytoin monotherapy. Jan 15, 1997 this book is a great contrast to much other work on fetal alcohol syndrome now usually called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Fifty two children were ascertained through the fetal anticonvulsant syndrome association and five were referred to the aberdeen medical genetics service. The abnormalities found in children with fetal hydantoin syndrome. Fetal anti convulsant syndrome is an umbrella term for a host of different epilepsy medications taken during pregnancy that have had an affect on the baby in utero. Management of genetic syndromes, 3rd edition wiley. Methods fifty two children were ascertained through the fetal anticonvulsant syndrome association and five were referred to the aberdeen medical genetics service. The risk of anticonvulsant syndrome is believed to be higher when the mother takes more than one aed.
Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome sodium valproate a cover up. Fetal hydantoin syndrome fhs among the many dysmorphic findings associated with this syndrome, hypoplasia and irregular ossification of the distal phalanges was originally believed to be the single most characteristic feature. Compassionately written by the expert psychologist who conducted some of the earliest examinations of children with fas more than 20 years ago, this guidebook presents an overview of fas and explains how to identify the disorder, how to work with. Fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder albert e. Readable and easy to understand, this book conveys urgent information about medical and social issues surrounding fetal alcohol syndrome fas. Facsa is a support group for families and children who have been affected by aeds during pregnancy and have a. Feb 16, 2017 fetal anticonvulsant syndrome facs is a constellation of diverse congenital malformations that can affect some fetuses if they are exposed to certain antiepileptic drugs aeds while in utero. Best books on fetal alcohol syndrome for adoptive parents. Minor malformations fetal anticonvulsant syndrome dysmorphic features vshaped eyebrows, lowset ears, broad nasal bridge, irregular teeth hypertelorism hypoplastic nails and distal digits. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome or facs is the term used to describe the adverse effects of in utero exposure to anticonvulsant medication e. Fetal development definition of fetal development by.
As those of you who have read my book or website know, i love to read and report on the scientific research in adoption. A clinical study of 57 children with fetal anticonvulsant. Aug 10, 2011 fetal hydantoin syndrome is a disorder that is caused by exposure of a fetus to phenytoin, a drug commonly prescribed for epilepsy. List of books and articles about fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal anticonvulsant syndromes connecting repositories. Fetal hydantoin syndrome nord national organization for. Speech and language therapy for fetal anticonvulsant syndrome. This nosology was devised to help overcome the lack of a reliable diagnostic test in that disorder. This is the only book of its kind in prenatal diagnosis that details the most common sonographically detectable fetal syndromes. Fetal hydantoin syndrome is a characteristic pattern of mental and physical birth defects that results from maternal use of the antiseizure anticonvulsant drug phenytoin dilantin during pregnancy. She has lived experience of having loved ones who have been affected by fetal valproate syndrome fvs, as her twin daughters were diagnosed at 4 1. The independent fetal anticonvulsant trust was launched in november 2012 to gather information and provide support and assistance to those affected by the condition. Seizure disorders are the most frequent major neurological complication in pregnancy, affecting 0.
Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome associated autistic disorder is characterized by an even sex ratio, absence of regression or skill loss, and language delay in the absence of global delay. Not all children who are exposed to anticonvulsant drugs are affected. In a study of children with fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, of whom the majority were exposed to vpa, 60% displayed two or more autistic symptoms, with inattention and hyperactivity observed in 39%. Developing diagnostic criteria for the fetal anticonvulsant.
While many works are judgmental those bad mothers drank while pregnant or ideosyncratic how one person dealt with one particular manifestation of this syndrome, this book brings the reader up to date on current research including discussion of gaps in our. Fetal valproate syndrome nord national organization for. We are here to support all families touched by fetal anticonvulsant syndromes. Congenital defects caused, or thought to have been caused, by the necessary maternal intake of anticonvulsant drugs during early pregnancy. Organisation for anticonvulsant syndromes we are a support group for the sufferers and the families of those who were born with a fetal anti convulsant syndrome facs. Leading this forward thinking organisation is our executive officer, denise astill. This book is a great contrast to much other work on fetal alcohol syndrome now usually called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Gorlin syndrome nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome peter farndon. Streissguth is one of the pioneers in the identification and treatment of fetal alcohol syndrome and the entire spectrum of congenital damage arising from inutero exposure to alcohol. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome facs has been known about since about 1968 and fetal valproate syndrome specifically was first talked about in a 1980 journal paper. Facs association fetal anti convulsant syndrome association.
Handbook of genetic counselingfetal valproate syndrome. Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome facs also known as fetal valproate syndrome and fetal hydantoin syndrome is a group of malformations that can affect some babies if they are exposed to certain medicines known as antiepileptic drugs aeds while in the womb most women with epilepsy will have a healthy child. Fetal valproate syndrome fvs is a rare condition that is caused by exposure of the unborn baby to valproic acid or sodium valproate dalpro, depakene, depakote, depakote sprinkle, divalproex, epival, myproic acid during the first three months of pregnancy the first trimester. These include major congenital malformations such as cardiac and neural tube defects, orofacial clefts, and hypospadias, minor malformations such as craniofacial dysmorphisms hypertelorism, flat nasal ridge, low. Fetal anticonvulsant syndromes facs are a group of disor. For women who have had one child diagnosed with fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, the risk of having a second affected baby may be as high as 55%. It has an easytofollow approach of using lists and patterns of malformations to generate a differential diagnosis of the possible syndrome involved. Denise has hands on practical experience and knowledge that is not found in a book. We describe a set of diagnostic criteria which may assist in defining which children are likely to have a fetal anticonvulsant syndrome.