[Warfarin fetopathy]

Abstract

We report a case of warfarin embryopathy. This disease affects more than 6% of fetuses exposed in utero to a vitamin K antagonist.

Observation: A child whose mother was treated with acenocoumarol because of a mechanical heart valve presented with signs of warfarin embryopathy. He showed chondrodysplasia punctata with telebrachydactyly, facial dysmorphism with nasal hypoplasia, a cataract, and a bilateral pyeloureteral junction syndrome.

Comments: Characteristics of this drug induced embryopathy are reminded, while bearing in mind the conflict of interests between the mother and the fetus. The mechanisms of this embryopathy are debated in light of the recent knowledge concerning fetal metabolism of vitamin K.