Fetal hydantoin syndrome
Causes
What causes fetal hydantoin syndrome?
Fetal hydantoin syndrome is caused by exposure to the drug phenytoin, also called dilantin, before birth. Phenytoin is an anti-seizure medication given primarily to people with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.
References
- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/gard/6435/fetal-hydantoin-syndrome/resources/1
More Causes Content
How does phenytoin cause the fetal hydantoin syndrome?
Does anything make fetal hydantoin syndrome worse?
Is this a predisposition or a cause for Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome?
How does phenytoin cause the fetal hydantoin syndrome?
It is currently unknown as to how anti-seizure medications taken during pregnancy cause problems in a fetus. There are theories postulating that these medications could interrupt the function of other important chemicals in the body, causing less blood flow to the brain. It is also thought that these medications can become toxic when they are broken down by the body and are therefore toxic when they enter the fetus.
References
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3697215/
Does anything make fetal hydantoin syndrome worse?
A baby may be more likely to have certain symptoms of fetal hydantoin sydnrome if the mother smokes, drinks alcohol, or does not take extra folic acid during pregnancy. Some medical studies also found that women who have changes in a gene called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) may be more likely to have a child with fetal hydantoin syndrome. Some researchers think that this is because the protein that is made from the (MTHFR) gene has a role in breaking down phenytoin properly.
References
- https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fetal-hydantoin-syndrome/
Is this a predisposition or a cause for Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome?
Taking phenytoin, also called dilantin, during pregnancy is the only cause of fetal hydantoin syndrome.
References
- https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fetal-hydantoin-syndrome/
