Congenital malformation of the scalp and cranium after failed first trimester abortion attempt with misoprostol

This study reports the occurrence of three cases of an unusual congenital malformation of the skull in neonates seen at a pediatric hospital during a five-month interval in Fortaleza, Brazil. The prenatal history focused on the mothers' exposure to drugs during pregnancy. It was found that all mothers had taken misoprostol orally and/or vaginally in the first trimester of pregnancy to induce abortion. Other drugs taken during pregnancy included iron, vitamins and tetanus toxoid. There was no evidence of a family history of malformations, consanguinity or clinical infective illnesses.