Syndrome Affecting Babies Exposed to Fentanyl: A Startling Discovery
Possible Fentanyl-Related Syndrome Affecting Infants Raises Concerns
Babies exposed to Fentanyl may have new syndrome
Doctors have stumbled upon what they suspect is a new syndrome afflicting babies who were exposed to fentanyl while inside the womb. These precious little ones have been experiencing a range of distressing symptoms, including cleft palates, unusually small heads, and other anomalies. Interestingly, all of them share a common thread—mothers who used fentanyl and other drugs during pregnancy.
The alarm was first sounded when six babies were identified at Nemours Children’s Health in Delaware, followed by two in California, and one each in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Erin Wadman, a genetic counselor at Nemours, along with her colleagues, have shed light on this mystifying syndrome in a recent report published in the journal Genetics in Medicine Open.
The discovery of this potential syndrome took place in August 2022, during a consultation for a baby with birth defects. As Wadman recalls, a sense of familiarity washed over her as she observed the baby’s face. It reminded her of other patients she had seen earlier in the year, leading her to believe they might be onto something significant.
Let’s dive into the telltale signs of this syndrome. Besides the aforementioned symptoms, these infants had unusually small bodies, drooping eyelids, upturned noses, and underdeveloped lower jaws. Their feet pointed inward, and two of their middle toes were even webbed! Baby boys had genital irregularities, and thumb development was incomplete. Some struggled with feeding difficulties too.
Initially, Wadman and her team considered a syndrome called Smith-Lemli-Opitz, which involves genetic mutations affecting cholesterol processing in fetuses. However, none of the babies tested positive for this variant, leading the doctors to question whether fentanyl might be responsible for interfering with cholesterol metabolism during pregnancy.
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Though direct evidence of fentanyl’s impact on cholesterol metabolism is lacking, the researchers believe it is biologically plausible. As stated in their report, “Although fentanyl’s effect on cholesterol metabolism has not been directly tested, based on indirect evidence, it is biologically plausible that it affects cholesterol metabolism in the developing fetus.”
However, it is crucial to note that further research is essential to validate these findings. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, emphasizes the complexity of teasing apart fentanyl’s effects from other drug interactions. Consequently, reports like this are crucial as they shed light on issues that demand systematic investigation.
Recognizing the significance of the discovery, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) intends to explore the fentanyl-cholesterol theory further. Dr. Karoly Mirnics, the director of UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute, has dedicated her research efforts to studying the impact of various drugs on cholesterol metabolism. Cholesterol, as Mirnics explains, is vital for every function and cell membrane in the body. Without cholesterol, there can be no life.
This discovery has raised concerns among experts. Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, the President of the March of Dimes organization, states, “As we see these shared characteristics identified, we may be unroofing a real syndrome.” Dr. Sonja Rasmussen, a medical geneticist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, commends the keen observation skills of the clinicians at Nemours. She points out that it was through astute clinical observations that conditions like fetal alcohol syndrome and the distinct birth defects caused by isotretinoin (acne drug Accutane) were recognized.
In closing, it is important that we appreciate the vigilance and dedication shown by medical professionals in uncovering these potential health risks. By diligently investigating and sharing their findings, they play a vital role in raising awareness and ultimately improving the lives of those affected.
What are your thoughts on this discovery? Have you come across any similar cases? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!