title: Middle and inner ear malformations in two siblings exposed to valproic acid during pregnancy: a case report.
abstract: Valproic acid (VPA) is a known teratogenic drug. Exposure to VPA during the pregnancy can lead to a distinct facial appearance, a cluster of major and minor anomalies and developmental delay. In this case report, two siblings with fetal valproate syndrome and a mild conductive hearing loss were investigated. Radiologic evaluation showed middle and inner ear malformations in both children. Audiologic, vestibular and motor examination was performed. This is the first case report to describe middle and inner ear malformations in children exposed to VPA.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: evelyne.vanhoutte@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Houtte
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, General Hospital Bruges, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casselman
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy Ghent, Artevelde University College-Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Kegel
authors.affiliation: Doctoral assistent at the department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ingeborg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dhooge
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000002:abnormalities*; D019066:Facies; D005260:Female; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000175:diagnosis*; D035781:Siblings; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid
keywords: Fetal valproate syndrome (FVS); Teratogenicity; Valproic acid (VPA); Vestibular function