Etretinate embrytoxicity 7 months after discontinuation of treatment

Recently we did the necropsy of a 23-week-old fetus (genetic file No. 5225) born after induced abortion. The mother, aged 17, was treated by etretinate for severe psoriasis during 3 years. She discontinued the treatment (0.5 mg/kg) 7 to 8 months before coming pregnant. She was related to her partner (second cousins, F = 1/64). The fetus weighed 930 g, was 37 cm long, and had an occipitofrontal circumference of 24.5 cm. Face was not considered as unusual. Ears were round and very small, but normally conformed. Meatus were normal. Limbs and spine appeared normal, but X-rays were not available.