Fetal Dilantin Syndrome

Fetal Dilantin syndrome is a rare disorder also referred to as fetal hydantoin syndrome, dilantin embryopathy and phenytoin embryopathy. Newborns with fetal Dilantin syndrome tend to be very small and covered with facial and body hair.

• Newborn baby.

Cause

• Fetal Dilantin syndrome occurs when a fetus is exposed to the anti-convolusant medication phenytoin, which has the brand name Dilantin. This medication is typically prescribed to treat epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

Common Symptoms

• Typical symptoms of fetal Dilantin syndrome include growth deficiencies, abnormal facial and skull development and malformed fingernails and toenails. These children frequently suffer minor developmental delays as well.

Rare Symptoms

• Some children with fetal Dilantin syndrome suffer from cleft palate or cleft lips. A few patients suffer severe brain malformations that cause significant developmental delays.

Other Factors

• According to the University of Kansas Hospital, mothers who experience reduced folic acid levels are more likely to give birth to babies with fetal Dilantin syndrome.

Treatment

• Cleft palates and cleft lips are commonly corrected with surgery or covered by a prosthesis. Children with fetal Dilantin syndrome often need the rehabilitation services of speech pathologists or dental specialists.

Considerations

• The University of Kansas Hospital reports that 7 to 10 percent of pregnant women taking Dilantin will give birth to babies with fetal Dilantin syndrome. Approximately 3 percent of fetal Dilantin syndrome babies will suffer severe delays in development.