According to a study published in Genetics in Medicine Open, a group of doctors at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware may have identified a novel or new syndrome of birth defects in babies born with prenatal fentanyl exposure. Although there are limitations within the published findings, early indications suggest that the congenital malformations of cleft palate, rocker bottom feet, fused toes, singular palm crease, broad thumbs, small heads, and malformed genitalia are common traits of the six individuals enrolled in the study.
The study began in mid 2022 when a group of doctors at the hospital began to notice a trend of babies coming in for treatment that had similar facial deformations as well as other birth defects. As the study progressed, there were four more individuals added. They were introduced by clinicians outside the institution and help support the existence of this novel syndrome.
At first, doctors thought theyweredealingwithSmith-Lemli-Opitzsyndrome,arare genetic disorder that comes about from abnormalities of the cholesterol metabolism in the womb. However, those issues were resolved and there were not any genetic indications found after additional testing.
Additional research led doctors to a commonality which was that all the individuals had been exposed prenatally to fentanyl or non-prescription opioids suggesting it was a factor in the malformation of the embryos. Meaning that the exposuremayhaveinterfered with cholesterol metabolism mimicking the symptoms of S-L-O.
Hoping to additionally rule out Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, GestaltMatcher, a facial analysissystemwasused in the study, as well. Since the rise of prescription and opioid abuse, there have been extensive studies of pregnant women and the effects on the unborn fetus; noting preterm delivery, small size of the fetus, SIDS, and reduced head circumference at birth.
Even though there are limitations within the study, such as being able to identify the amount of drug exposure while in womb and the direct effect the fentanyl has on cholesterol metabolism and embryo development; future study is necessary to help identify long term health effects and overall well being of those born with prenatal exposure. With the use of fentanyl becoming an epidemic, the impact to future public health will be significant.