RT Journal
A1 HECHT F
T1 Fetal trimethadione toxicity: An historical footnote
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1979
FD May 1
VO 133
IS 5
SP 557
OP 558
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130050101026
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130050101026
AB Sir.–I am always impressed by a well-documented, understated article, such as the one by Feldman et al on the fetal trimethadione syndrome that appeared in the Journal (131:1389, 1977).They describe a family with a remarkable story: seven consecutive unsuccessful pregnancies (four malformed infants, all of whom died, and three spontaneous abortions) while the mother was taking trimethadione for petit mal epilepsy, followed by two normal babies after the mother stopped taking trimethadione.This family was previously described, albeit in a rather unlikely place: a review article1 on genetic diagnosis and counseling. (Feldman et al did refer to this article, although they did not specify that it describes the same family).The purpose of this letter is to supply an historical footnote.Several years ago, Dr Richard Behrman asked me to write a review on genetic diagnosis in the newborn. I accepted the invitation and in turn asked