title: Fetal exposure to sodium valproate associated with Baller-Gerold syndrome: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: METHODS
  We report three patients with a history of maternal valproate use during pregnancy who presented with a combination of metopic suture synostosis and upper limb malformations, which could be diagnosed as Baller-Gerold syndrome (BGS). The patients underwent surgical treatment for the craniofacial deformity, during which standard frontocranial reconstruction was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Only 32 patients have been reported in the world literature and these cases support the emerging view that BGS is not a distinct syndrome, but should instead be considered to be an heterogeneous phenotype with variable etiology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our case series suggests for the first time that fetal sodium valproate exposure may also cause this phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Hospital of Clinics, Faculty of Medicine Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. rsoliveira@e-childrensbrain.com
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santos de Oliveira
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lajeunie
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arnaud
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Renier
mesh_terms: D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011859:Radiography; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D038062:Upper Extremity Deformities, Congenital / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid