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Fetotoxicity of warfarin anticoagulation
Sumit Mehndiratta1, Amita Suneja, Bindiya Gupta
1Department of Pediatrics, UCMS and GTB Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India. drsmehndiratta@gmail.com
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
|January 30, 2010
Summary
Fetal warfarin syndrome, a result of maternal warfarin use in pregnancy, causes neonatal dysmorphology. This case highlights unsupervised warfarin use and discusses anticoagulation alternatives during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Teratology
- Pharmacology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Fetal warfarin syndrome (warfarin embryopathy) arises from maternal warfarin exposure during gestation.
- It presents with diverse fetal manifestations, including characteristic neonatal dysmorphology such as nasal hypoplasia and epiphyseal stippling.
Observation:
- This report details a neonate born to a mother with unsupervised warfarin prophylaxis throughout pregnancy.
- A literature review on anticoagulation options during pregnancy is included.
Findings:
- The case underscores the risks of unsupervised warfarin use during pregnancy.
- Literature review provides context on alternative anticoagulation strategies.
Implications:
- Optimal anticoagulation in early pregnancy remains debated, with ongoing discussion regarding low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) versus warfarin.
- Warfarin embryopathy management is symptomatic, and long-term outcomes for survivors require further investigation.
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