Maternal Gestational Fever and Congenital Malformations

A Rare association of congenital absence of femur and fibular hemimelia with maternal hyperpyrexia

“…Various agents implicated in such injuries include anoxia, ischemia, irradiation, diabetes and drugs (thalidomide). [4][5][6] In the patient, the mother had hyperpyrexia due to ischiorectal abscess during first trimester of pregnancy. Hyperthermia, as an agent for producing congenital defects has been demonstrated in a wide range of experimental animals.…”

“…Surprisingly, it has attracted less attention as a possible teratogen in humans. 6,7 However, the evidence for human teratogenicity from gestational fever is now accumulating. There is concern when the body temperature reaches 38.9° C (102° F) or higher during pregnancy, especially when lasting for more than 24 hr.…”

“…6 Skeletal malformations described in humans following gestational fever include talipes equinovarus, hypodactyly and shortening of humerus and femur. 6,7 To the best of our knowledge, agenesis of femur and fibular hemimelia have not been described in association with gestational hyperpyrexia. The case described by us highlights an association not reported previously in the literature.…”

Melanonychia After Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

“…6,7 To the best of our knowledge, agenesis of femur and fibular hemimelia have not been described in association with gestational hyperpyrexia. The case described by us highlights an association not reported previously in the literature.…”