Fentanyl in the womb: New syndrome causing alarming birth defects

In the United States, an increasing number of infants are being born with a concerning new syndrome associated with the misuse of fentanyl during pregnancy. According to the Daily Mail, this condition leads to numerous physical and brain anomalies, including fused fingers and toes and head deformities.

Dr Miguel Del Campo from San Diego Children's Hospital observed 20 infants with the suspected syndrome. According to him, the problem may be much broader and remain unnoticed. The syndrome was only identified last year and lacks national or state data to track its prevalence.

As the Daily Mail adds, fentanyl impairs the child's ability to produce cholesterol in the mother's womb, which is crucial for the child's brain development. Infants with this syndrome often have a cleft palate, "rocker-bottom" feet, upturned noses, drooping eyelids, undersized jaws, and fused fingers.

Further evidence is needed to conclusively prove that fentanyl is the cause of these birth defects, which is not yet an established scientific fact. The National Institutes of Health stated that "studies have not shown a specific pattern of birth defects caused by opioids" and cannot confirm that fentanyl causes these effects - journalists report.

It seems likely that the presence of this compound during fetal development plays a large part in these syndromes - quotes the portal from chemistry professor Ned Porter from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Medical professionals believe that fentanyl in the wrong dose slows breathing, stops circulation, and kills within a few minutes. Anaesthesiologists use it to sedate patients or relieve pain. It is estimated to be nearly 100 times stronger than heroin. The situation in the US is particularly alarming. Americans have become accustomed to streets or even entire neighbourhoods full of "zombies," as people addicted to this drug are referred to.

Just last year, over 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses.