Habilitation of patients with congenital malformations associated with thalidomide: surgery of limb defects.
The deformities commonly seen in "thalidomide babies" are described. These vary from relatively uncomplicated radial-ray defects to complete phocomelia of all four extremities. It is suggested that the care of these children is best carried out in a clinic accustomed to dealing with juvenile amputee problems. A plea is made for very early fitting of upper-extremity prostheses (at approximately three months of age) in cases of unilateral upper-limb deficiencies. A "bucket" for sitting should be supplied for children with quadrilateral phocomelia to sit in when they reach seven or eight months of age. Children with severe upper-limb malformations will be candidates for some form of externally powered prostheses.
D000293:Adolescent; D000674:Amputees; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D002648:Child; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D004480:Ectromelia; D005121:Extremities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017880:Limb Deformities, Congenital; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012046:Rehabilitation; D013792:Thalidomide
D013792:Thalidomide
ABNORMALITIES; REHABILITATION; THALIDOMIDE