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[Metopic suture craniosynostosis: sodium valproate teratogenic effect. Case report]
V J Assencio-Ferreira1, R Abraham, J C Veiga
1Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Taubaté, Taubaté, SP, Brasil. vicasfer@iconet.com.br
Objective:
the aim of this report is to warn that sodium valproate used during pregnancy can produce craniosynostosis in the newborn, particularly trigonocephaly.
Method:
we describe a case of trigonocephaly in a six month-old girl, daughter of a young non-smoker couple, whose mother had used phenobarbital 100 mg daily and sodium valproate 500 mg twice daily during the whole pregnancy. We also review current literature about this topic.
Result:
bone sclerosis over the metopic suture was confirmed during surgery. Bibliographical review yields previous reports on valproate teratogenicity, mainly determining metopic suture craniosynostosis.
Conclusion:
sodium valproate used during pregnancy can produce craniosynostosis by teratogenic effect, specially trigonocephaly (premature fusion of metopic suture).