All issues > Volume 45(10); 2002

Case Report

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2002;45(10):1288-1292. Published online October 15, 2002.

A Case of Fetal Valproate Syndrome Associated with Both Elbow Joint Contractures

Yun Chang YC Choi¹, Eun Young EY Kim¹, Kynug Rye KR Moon¹, Young Il YI Rho¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea

Correspondence Young Il YI Rho ,Email: ryoung@mail.chosun.ac.kr

Abstract

Fetal valproate syndrome has been described as a distinctive pattern of minor anomalies of the face and digits. This pattern has not been delineated completely but appears to involve brachycephaly with a high forehead, shallow orbit, ocular hypertelorism, small nose, small mouth, low set posteriorly rotated ears, long overlapping fingers and toes, and hyperconvex fingernail. Cleft palate and congenital heart disease have occasionally been described in babies exposed to valproate during embryogenesis. We report a neonate born from an epileptic mother receiving sodium valproate during pregnancy. This neonate presented with characteristic facial abnormalities, both elbow contractures, and overlapping of right first and second toe, forth and fifth toe, and left first and second toe. This case raises the possibility that these abnormal appearances might be caused by intrauterine valproate exposure.

Keywords :Fetal valproate syndrome, Elbow contracture