Fetal warfarin syndrome

Abstract

Fetal warfarin syndrome (FWS) or warfarin (coumadin) embryopathy is a rare condition as a result of fetal exposure to maternal ingestion of warfarin during pregnancy. A male infant, whose mother was treated with the anticoagulant (warfarin) because of a mechanical heart valve replacement after rheumatic heart disease, presented with signs of warfarin embryopathy. The facial dysmorphism included hypoplasia of nasal bridge, laryngomalacia, pectus carinatum, congenital heart defects (atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus), ventriculomegaly, stippled epiphyses, telebrachydactyly, and growth retardation. The pathogenesis and management of FWS are discussed.