Warfarin embryopathy: fetal manifestations

Virchows Arch. 2010 Dec;457(6):735-9. doi: 10.1007/s00428-010-0982-9. Epub 2010 Oct 5.

Abstract

During the period 1991-2007, autopsy was undertaken in 13 fetuses with warfarin embryopathy. Pregnancy data and radiographic babygrams were available in each instance. Gestational age ranged from 17 to 37 weeks. Eleven of the fetuses had the characteristic nasal hypoplasia, but only three had radiological epiphyseal stippling. Cerebral hemorrhage was a major feature of autopsy in 8 of the fetuses, and it is evident that bleeding is a significant factor in the pathogenesis of warfarin embryopathy. A wide variety of additional visceral manifestations which were observed at autopsy have been tabulated. There was no obvious correlation between maternal or gestational age and the presence and severity of any specific embryopathic feature. No information was available concerning the dose and timing of warfarin administration in this series.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / diagnosis
  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / pathology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Anticoagulants / pharmacology
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Autopsy
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Chondrodysplasia Punctata / chemically induced
  • Chondrodysplasia Punctata / pathology
  • Female
  • Fetal Development / drug effects
  • Heart Valve Diseases / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia / chemically induced
  • Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Nose / abnormalities
  • Nose / drug effects
  • Nose / pathology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Warfarin / adverse effects*
  • Warfarin / pharmacology
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Warfarin