BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY OF FETAL HYDANTOIN SYNDROME

The question of maternal seizures as a teratogen was raised 30 years ago. Since then, a great deal of controversy has existed about the role of seizures in pregnant mothers as opposed to the direct effects of anticonvulsant medications. Animal and human research has clearly shown that anticonvulsants are teratogens and pose a risk for fetal malformations. In the case of dilantin, it appears that fetal susceptibility correlates with the fetal level of the microsomal detoxifying enzyme epoxide hydrolase.