[Metopic suture craniosynostosis: sodium valproate teratogenic effect. Case report].

OBJECTIVE

the aim of this report is to warn that sodium valproate used during pregnancy can produce craniosynostosis in the newborn, particularly trigonocephaly.

METHOD: we describe a case of trigonocephaly in a six month-old girl, daughter of a young non-smoker couple, whose mother had used phenobarbital 100 mg daily and sodium valproate 500 mg twice daily during the whole pregnancy. We also review current literature about this topic.

RESULT: bone sclerosis over the metopic suture was confirmed during surgery. Bibliographical review yields previous reports on valproate teratogenicity, mainly determining metopic suture craniosynostosis.

CONCLUSION

sodium valproate used during pregnancy can produce craniosynostosis by teratogenic effect, specially trigonocephaly (premature fusion of metopic suture).