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]

Characteristics[edit]

Fetal trimethadione syndrome is characterized by the following major symptoms:[6]

These symptoms result from the teratogenic characteristics of trimethadione.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Additional names include trimethadione embryopathy and trimethadione syndrome.
  2. ^ Multiple Congenital Anomaly/Mental Retardation (MCA/MR) Syndromes - Retrieved January 2007
  3. ^ Fetal trimethadione syndrome on the ORD website. Retrieved January 2007
  4. ^ Rare Diseases Retrieved January 2007
  5. ^ Teratology and Drug Use During Pregnancy Retrieved January 2007
  6. ^ Multiple Congenital Anomaly/Mental Retardation (MCA/MR) Syndromes - Retrieved January 2007
  7. ^ The fetal trimethadione syndrome: report of an additional family and further delineation of this syndrome Retrieved January 2007