"Fentanyl Exposure in Pregnancy Linked to Newborn Syndrome with Conjoined Toes and Rocker Bottom Feet"

Doctors have identified a possible new syndrome in newborns linked to fentanyl exposure. At least 10 babies have been identified with distinctive physical birth defects, such as cleft palate and unusually small heads, all born to mothers who used street drugs, particularly fentanyl, during pregnancy. The babies have similarities to a syndrome called Smith-Lemli-Opitz, but genetic testing did not reveal any common genetic cause. Researchers suspect that fentanyl may be disrupting cholesterol metabolism during pregnancy. Further research is needed to confirm the findings and determine the exact cause of the birth defects.