Thalidomide embryopathy
Synonyms: Fetal thalidomide syndrome
Thalidomide embryopathy is a group of anomalies presented in infants as a result of in utero exposure (between 20-36 days after fertilization) to thalidomide a sedative used in treatment of a range of conditions including morning sickness leprosy and multiple myeloma (see these terms). Thalidomine embryopathy is characterized by phocomelia amelia forelimb and hand plate anomalies (absence of humerus and/or forearm femur and/or lower leg thumb anomalies). Other anomalies include facial hemangiomas and damages to ears (anotia microtia) eyes (microphthalmia anophthalmos coloboma strabismus) internal organs (kidney heart and gastrointestinal tract) genitalia and heart. Infant mortality associated with thalidomide embryopathy is estimated to be as high as 40%. Thalidomide is contraindicated in pregnancy and pregnancy prevention is recommended in women under treatment.
Data from Orphanet are used to provide information on a disease's name, synonym(s), and overview.
Reference: Access aggregated data from Orphanet at Orphadata.
Orphadata: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Available on http://www.orphadata.org. Data version April 2024
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