The growth of the nasal septum in the 6-9 week period of foetal development--Warfarin embryopathy offers a new insight into prenatal facial development.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to de the role of the nasal septum in embryonic facial development.


METHODS
Nasal septal growth and facial development were examined in sagittally-sectioned 6-9 week human foetuses and compared to previously published data for later prenatal periods. To complement this data a cephalometric study of a child with untreated warfarin embryopathy was undertaken since a previous study in rats had shown warfarin exposure interferes with septal growth.


RESULTS
The results showed that prenatal septal growth was maximal during the 6-9 week period and resulted in the establishment of a facial profile that was maintained until birth. This critical of growth corresponds to the period of warfarin exposure of the human foetus that results warfarin embryopathy. The cephalometric examination of a child with untreated warfarin embryopathy showed a combination of short anterior cranial base and a short maxilla had contributed to a significant retrusion of the maxilla suggestive of failure of the midface to devel the 6-9 week period.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings would support the hypothesis that the nasal septum plays an active role in embryonic midfacial development.
Howe
A M
AM
Reproductive Toxicology Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. andrew@anatomy.usyd.edu.au
Hawkins
J K
JK
Webster
W S
WS
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000139:chemically induced; D005145:Face / Q000196:embryology; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology; D019291:Skull Base / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin