The growth of the nasal septum in the 6-9 week period of foetal development--Warfarin embryopathy offers a new insight into prenatal facial development.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to de the role of the nasal septum in embryonic facial development.

METHODS: Nasal septal growth and facial development were examined in sagittally-sectioned 6-9 week human foetuses and compared to previously published data for later prenatal periods. To complement this data a cephalometric study of a child with untreated warfarin embryopathy was undertaken since a previous study in rats had shown warfarin exposure interferes with septal growth.

RESULTS: The results showed that prenatal septal growth was maximal during the 6-9 week period and resulted in the establishment of a facial profile that was maintained until birth. This critical of growth corresponds to the period of warfarin exposure of the human foetus that results warfarin embryopathy. The cephalometric examination of a child with untreated warfarin embryopathy showed a combination of short anterior cranial base and a short maxilla had contributed to a significant retrusion of the maxilla suggestive of failure of the midface to devel the 6-9 week period.

CONCLUSION: These findings would support the hypothesis that the nasal septum plays an active role in embryonic midfacial development.