Thalidomide upper limb embryopathy -: pathogenesis, past and present management and future considerations

Neil Vargesson; Geoffrey  Hooper; Grey  Giddins; Alastair  Hunter; Paul  Stirling; Wee  Lam

doi:10.1177/17531934231177425

Thalidomide upper limb embryopathy -: pathogenesis, past and present management and future considerations

Neil Vargesson^* (Corresponding Author)
, Geoffrey Hooper
, Grey Giddins
, Alastair Hunter
, Paul Stirling
, Wee Lam

^*Corresponding author for this work

Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
University College London
Fife Hand Clinic, Queen Margaret Hospital
Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

9 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Thalidomide embryopathy results in various congenital upper limb differences, ranging from complete amelia to radial dysplasia and digital malformations. This review article provides a comprehensive overview including updates about its pathogenesis, a historical account of the management of the paediatric thalidomide patient, experience with management of the adult patient as well as creating awareness about early onset age-related changes associated with limb differences. Despite its withdrawal from the market in November 1961, novel discoveries have meant thalidomide is licensed again and is currently still in use to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammatory disorders and some cancers. Yet, if not used safely thalidomide still has the potential to cause damage to the embryo. Recent work identifying thalidomide analogues that retain clinical benefits yet without the harmful effects are showing great promise.
Understanding the problems thalidomide survivors face as they age can allow
surgeons to support their unique healthcare issues and translate these principles of care to other congenital upper limb differences.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	699-709
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of hand surgery-European volume
Volume	48
Issue number	8
Early online date	24 May 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/17531934231177425
Publication status	Published - Sept 2023

Bibliographical note

Open Access via the Sage Agreement

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

thalidomide
radial dysplasia
reversed shoulder
embryopathy
cereblon

Access to Document

10.1177/17531934231177425Licence: CC BY

Vargesson_etal_JHSEV_Thalidomide_Upper_Limb_VOR
This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
Final published version, 502 KBLicence: CC BY

Research on a hormone pregnancy test that sparked an international debate on drug safety
Vargesson, N. (Coordinator) & Erskine, L. (Coordinator)
Impact: Policy
Thalidomide research guides recognition and compensation for survivors born with Thalidomide damage
Vargesson, N. (Coordinator) & Erskine, L. (Coordinator)
Impact

Cite this

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title = "Thalidomide upper limb embryopathy -: pathogenesis, past and present management and future considerations",

abstract = "Thalidomide embryopathy results in various congenital upper limb differences, ranging from complete amelia to radial dysplasia and digital malformations. This review article provides a comprehensive overview including updates about its pathogenesis, a historical account of the management of the paediatric thalidomide patient, experience with management of the adult patient as well as creating awareness about early onset age-related changes associated with limb differences. Despite its withdrawal from the market in November 1961, novel discoveries have meant thalidomide is licensed again and is currently still in use to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammatory disorders and some cancers. Yet, if not used safely thalidomide still has the potential to cause damage to the embryo. Recent work identifying thalidomide analogues that retain clinical benefits yet without the harmful effects are showing great promise. Understanding the problems thalidomide survivors face as they age can allow surgeons to support their unique healthcare issues and translate these principles of care to other congenital upper limb differences.",

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AU - Hunter, Alastair

AU - Stirling, Paul

AU - Lam, Wee

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AB - Thalidomide embryopathy results in various congenital upper limb differences, ranging from complete amelia to radial dysplasia and digital malformations. This review article provides a comprehensive overview including updates about its pathogenesis, a historical account of the management of the paediatric thalidomide patient, experience with management of the adult patient as well as creating awareness about early onset age-related changes associated with limb differences. Despite its withdrawal from the market in November 1961, novel discoveries have meant thalidomide is licensed again and is currently still in use to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammatory disorders and some cancers. Yet, if not used safely thalidomide still has the potential to cause damage to the embryo. Recent work identifying thalidomide analogues that retain clinical benefits yet without the harmful effects are showing great promise. Understanding the problems thalidomide survivors face as they age can allow surgeons to support their unique healthcare issues and translate these principles of care to other congenital upper limb differences.

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Thalidomide upper limb embryopathy -: pathogenesis, past and present management and future considerations

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Impacts

Research on a hormone pregnancy test that sparked an international debate on drug safety

Thalidomide research guides recognition and compensation for survivors born with Thalidomide damage

Cite this