warfarin and Craniofacial-Abnormalities

The aim of this study was to de the role of the nasal septum in embryonic facial development.. 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.. 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.. These findings would support the hypothesis that the nasal septum plays an active role in embryonic midfacial development.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Anticoagulants; Cephalometry; Child; Craniofacial Abnormalities; Face; Fetal Development; Humans; Male; Maxilla; Nasal Septum; Skull Base; Warfarin