Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder | |
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Other names | Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS), Fetal Valproic Acid Syndrome, Valproic Acid Embryopathy |
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Facial features associated with valproate exposure at different ages | |
Specialty | Medical genetics, Pediatrics |
Symptoms | Neural tube defects, distinctive facial features, congenital heart defects, limb abnormalities, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder [1] [2] [3] |
Complications | Intellectual disability, cognitive impairments, physical disabilities |
Usual onset | Prenatal |
Duration | Lifelong |
Causes | Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) |
Diagnostic method | Based on clinical features, history of VPA exposure, diagnostic imaging, genetic counseling |
Differential diagnosis | other antiepileptic drugs-related embryofetopathies, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder |
Prevention | Avoiding valproic acid during pregnancy, using alternative medications, folic acid supplementation |
Treatment | Multidisciplinary management including regular monitoring, early intervention therapies, surgical correction of anomalies, supportive therapies |
Prognosis | Variable; depends on severity and type of anomalies |
Frequency | Rare; exact prevalence unknown, fewer than 50,000 cases in the U.S [1] |
Fetal valproate spectrum disorder (FVSD), previously known as Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS), is a rare disease caused by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a medication commonly used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraines. This exposure can lead to a range of neurodevelopmental and physical symptoms, including cognitive impairments, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and congenital malformations. [1] [2] [3]
Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder | |
---|---|
Other names | Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS), Fetal Valproic Acid Syndrome, Valproic Acid Embryopathy |
![]() | |
Facial features associated with valproate exposure at different ages | |
Specialty | Medical genetics, Pediatrics |
Symptoms | Neural tube defects, distinctive facial features, congenital heart defects, limb abnormalities, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder [1] [2] [3] |
Complications | Intellectual disability, cognitive impairments, physical disabilities |
Usual onset | Prenatal |
Duration | Lifelong |
Causes | Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) |
Diagnostic method | Based on clinical features, history of VPA exposure, diagnostic imaging, genetic counseling |
Differential diagnosis | other antiepileptic drugs-related embryofetopathies, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder |
Prevention | Avoiding valproic acid during pregnancy, using alternative medications, folic acid supplementation |
Treatment | Multidisciplinary management including regular monitoring, early intervention therapies, surgical correction of anomalies, supportive therapies |
Prognosis | Variable; depends on severity and type of anomalies |
Frequency | Rare; exact prevalence unknown, fewer than 50,000 cases in the U.S [1] |
Fetal valproate spectrum disorder (FVSD), previously known as Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS), is a rare disease caused by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a medication commonly used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraines. This exposure can lead to a range of neurodevelopmental and physical symptoms, including cognitive impairments, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and congenital malformations. [1] [2] [3]