What is thalidomide induced phocomelia?
Phocomelia remains the most striking limb deformity caused by thalidomide, and remains the stereotypical image of thalidomide embryopathy. Phocomelia occurs through a severe shortening of the limb/s, due to proximal elements (long bones) being reduced or missing and leaving distal elements (handplate) in place.
Are there any thalidomide babies still alive?
No-one knows how many miscarriages the drug caused, but it’s estimated that, in Germany alone, 10,000 babies were born affected by Thalidomide. Many were too damaged to survive for long. Today, fewer than 3,000 are still alive.
Can people with phocomelia have children?
Phocomelia can be genetically passed down within families. It’s associated with an abnormality in chromosome 8. Phocomelia is an autosomal recessive trait. It means both parents need to have the abnormal gene in order for a child to have it.
What deformities did thalidomide cause?
The birth defects caused by the drug thalidomide can range from moderate malformation to more severe forms. Possible birth defects include phocomelia, dysmelia, amelia, bone hypoplasticity, and other congenital defects affecting the ear, heart, or internal organs.
Can phocomelia be cured?
There is no specific treatment for phocomelia. However, if it is part of a genetic syndrome, surgical intervention may be recommended for associated malformations.
What is a flipper baby?
It describes an extremely rare condition in which babies are born with limbs that look like flippers. The long bones of the arms fail to develop, but fingers sometimes sprout from the shoulders. In some cases, the legs fail to develop, too.
How much compensation did the thalidomide victims get?
Did the people born in the UK with thalidomide damage receive compensation? Initially no compensation was paid.
Was thalidomide tested on animals?
Thalidomide was developed in Germany in the 1950s as a sedative and was tested in several (non-pregnant) animal species and then in humans. The animal results seemed to show that even very high doses were not harmful.
What is an Agent Orange baby?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assumes that a biological child of a Vietnam veteran born with spina bifida developed the condition in utero due to the Agent Orange exposure of one of the parents.
What is Phocomelia?
Phocomelia is a rare birth defect that can affect the upper and/or lower limbs. In people with this condition, the bones of the affected limb are either missing or underdeveloped. The limb is, therefore, extremely shortened and in severe cases, the hand or foot may be attached directly to the trunk.
What causes phocomelia?
Phocomelia can be genetically caused by families with a recessive autosomal trait. But, it can also be caused by taking a drug during pregnancy called thalidomide.
How is phocomelia treated?
Phocomelia can also be caused by maternal exposure to certain drugs (such as thalidomide) during pregnancy. There is no specific treatment for phocomelia. However, if it is part of a genetic syndrome, surgical intervention may be recommended for associated malformations.
How did thalidomide affect fetus?
Cleft lip and palate are also more common in babies exposed to thalidomide. Facial muscles may be weak on one or both sides; facial paralysis may also be present. Thalidomide can cause congenital heart defects, malformed kidneys, urinary, reproductive and gastro-intestinal malformations.
Why was thalidomide given to pregnant women?
Thalidomide was first introduced in the 1950s as a sedative. Because it was deemed to be so safe, it was prescribed to pregnant women to combat the nausea and insomnia associated with morning sickness.
What is thalidomide tragedy?
Thalidomide is a sedative drug discovered at the end of the 50s, which caused a worldwide tragedy. The drug has been prescribed to many pregnant women in order to relieve pregnancy nausea. It was later found that thalidomide caused irreversible damages to the fetus and thousands of children were born with severe congenital malformations.
What does thalidomide treat?
Thalidomide is used to treat or prevent certain skin conditions related to Hansen’s disease, once known as leprosy (erythema nodosum leprosum). Thalidomide is also used to treat a certain type of cancer (multiple myeloma). It works in Hansen’s disease by reducing swelling and redness (inflammation).