Fetal trimethadione syndrome (also referred to as paramethadione syndrome, German syndrome, or tridione syndrome, as well as several other terms[1]) is a series of birth defects caused by the administration of the anticonvulsants trimethadione (also known as Tridione) or paramethadione to epileptic mothers during pregnancy.[2]
Fetal trimethadione syndrome is classified as a rare disease by the National Institute of Health's Office of Rare Diseases.[3] To be considered a rare disease, it must affect less than 200,000 individuals in the United States.[4]
The fetal loss rate while using trimethadione has been reported to be as high as 87%.[5]
Fetal trimethadione syndrome is characterized by the following major symptoms:[6]
These symptoms result from the teratogenic characteristics of trimethadione.[7]