A Neonate with De Novo 4p-Syndrome from a Smoking Mother

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, also known as chromosome 4p deletion syndrome or 4p-syndrome, is characterized by severe growth retardation of prenatal onset, microcephaly and facial dysmorphism. Herein we present a neonate with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome who was born to a mother who smoked heavily. Severe IUGR was diagnosed at 28 weeks of gestation. After birth, the baby had characteristic facial features including lagophthalmos, hypertelorism, a prominent glabella, a down-turned and fishlike mouth, and a short upper lip and philtrum. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a female karyotype with a 4p deletion with a breakpoint at p15.3. There is abundant evidence that smoking during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Herein, we have briefly reviewed the teratogenic effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy.