title: Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp in an infant exposed to valproic acid in utero.
abstract: We report a newborn with isolated aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp whose mother was treated with valproic acid during pregnancy. Aplasia cutis congenita has been described in infants exposed in utero to antithyroid drugs, but has not been related to other tetratogenic agents. Fetal exposure to valproic acid is known to increase the risks of spina bifida and other midline defects. Interestingly, aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp is regarded as a cutaneous marker for neural dysraphism. However, this defect of the scalp and valproic acid intake during pregnancy may be a random association and similar observations are needed to suggest causality.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hubert
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonneau
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Couet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berthier
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oriot
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larrègue
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D015984:Causality; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012535:Scalp / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid