The first investigation began when fifteen cases of children were recorded who were born either without palms (in one or both hands) or with severe deformities in their arms. The investigation was closed without identifying the cause. However, immediately afterward, another 11 such cases were reported in the eastern prefecture of Ain.
French society is worried—and rightly so. The cases known so far are located in three regions: one (Ain) near the Swiss border and the other two (Brittany and Loire-Atlantique) in the west. They concern a period of 15 years, from 2000 onward. The problem is that, apart from the records kept by each hospital, there is no general registry for more than 20% of births each year. Consequently, the true extent of this situation depends solely on whether, now—after these nearly 30 known cases—other parents come forward with children who have a similar congenital problem.
The first study showed no association between the deformities and dietary or pharmaceutical factors. Obviously, however, these are not the only ones. And who knows if all will even be examined—especially those that could turn “heavy tables” upside down in French territory?