A case of fetal valproate syndrome with intractable wheezing due to submucosal tumor below the vocal cord

: A full-term baby was born to an epileptic mother treated with two anti-epileptic drugs, sodium valproate and phenobarbital, throughout the pregnancy. She was given no information about the risk of teratogenesis of these drugs. At birth the patient was hypotonic and had clinical features specific for the fetal valproate syndrome. After a viral infection at three months of age, he had intractable and persistent wheezing. Suspecting the presence of congenital respiratory tract abnormality, we performed tracheobronchoscopy, which revealed a relatively big submucosal tumor on the left trachial wall below the vocal cord. Dyspnea and wheezing were remarkably improved by tracheolaryngotomy, but he died suddenly and unexplainedly at seven months of age.