A clinical review and introduction of the diagnostic algorithm for thalidomide embryopathy (DATE)

Thalidomide embryopathy results from the ingestion of thalidomide in the first trimester during pregnancy, causing multiple forms of congenital abnormalities of variable severity that involve all systems. The skeletal findings most frequently affect the limbs, particularly the upper limbs and hands....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of hand surgery, European volume Vol. 44; no. 1; p. 96
Main Authors Mansour, Sahar, Baple, Emma, Hall, Christine M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.01.2019
Subjects
Algorithms
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
Humans
Limb Deformities, Congenital - chemically induced
Limb Deformities, Congenital - diagnosis
Pregnancy
Teratogens - pharmacology
Thalidomide - adverse effects
teratogen
Thalidomide embryopathy
congenital
limb defects
birth defects
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Thalidomide embryopathy results from the ingestion of thalidomide in the first trimester during pregnancy, causing multiple forms of congenital abnormalities of variable severity that involve all systems. The skeletal findings most frequently affect the limbs, particularly the upper limbs and hands. Increasingly, several genetic disorders with similar birth defects have been identified. New cases of malformations owing to possible exposure to thalidomide continue to present through both historical and current usage. However, inadequate proof of ingestion, marked phenotypic variation and the possibility of an alternative genetic condition, hinder the diagnosis of thalidomide embryopathy. We introduce a 'diagnostic algorithm for thalidomide embryopathy' (DATE) diagnostic software that can potentially provide a numerical score for the likelihood of birth defects in an individual as being caused by exposure to thalidomide and to provide a differential diagnosis based on the pattern of malformation.
ISSN:2043-6289
DOI:10.1177/1753193418800631