Carbimazole embryopathy: An emerging phenotype

Concerns about the safety of carbimazole in pregnancy were raised in 1985 [Milham (1985): Teratology 32:321]. Since this time many reports of children believed to have been affected by carbimazole in utero have appeared in the medical literature. Initial reports were of an increased incidence of scalp defects in the infants of treated mothers, but many other anomalies have now been described. Choanal atresia, gastrointestinal anomalies-particularly esophageal atresia, athelia/hypothelia, developmental delay, hearing loss, and dysmorphic facial features have all been reported. The phenotype associated with exposure to carbimazole appears to be rare but specific with distinctive facial features. We report on two new cases of carbimazole embryopathy with strikingly similar facial features. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.