Svenska 
English Thalidomide effects
It has been more than 50 years since a West German paediatrician, Widukind Lenz, issued an alarm that a very popular, and as was then believed, completely harmless sleeping medication called Thalidomide (Neurosedyn in Sweden) was the cause of serious deformities in West German newborns.
When the breadth of the catastrophe finally became known, it was evident that about 10,000 children worldwide were born with injuries caused by the medication. There were between 150 and 160 children born in Sweden with Thalidomide effects. Of these, 35% died at birth, often because of damage to the heart or kidneys. Of the 107 children who survived, many had skeletal damage. How is the foetus affected?
During a few intensive weeks beginning in the fourth week in utero, all the organs and limbs start to develop. Thalidomide at this stage stops the development of blood vessels in the tissue as the organ/limb grows, and the result is a deformity. Often the mother had taken the tablet even before she knew she was pregnant.
The active ingredient in Thalidomide blocks the development of long bone shafts, which can cause the hands and feet to grow directly from the trunk without any arms or legs in between. Many children were born with internal anomalies and total deafness.
During a few intensive weeks beginning in the fourth week in utero, all the organs and limbs start to develop. Thalidomide at this stage stops the development of blood vessels in the tissue as the organ/limb grows, and the result is a deformity. Often the mother had taken the tablet even before she knew she was pregnant.
The active ingredient in Thalidomide blocks the development of long bone shafts, which can cause the hands and feet to grow directly from the trunk without any arms or legs in between. Many children were born with internal anomalies and total deafness.
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