Meningoencephalocele associated with Tripterygium wilfordii treatment.

We treated a male infant with occipital meningoencephalocele associated with the taking of Tripterygium wilfordii. The infant was delivered normally at 38 weeks of gestation with a huge cystic mass protruding from the occiput. He was diagnosed with occipital meningoencephalocele and cerebellar agenesis. His mother had taken T. wilfordii for rheumatoid arthritis early in her pregnancy. T. wilfordii is a herbal medicine used for rheumatoid arthritis and male contraception. Since its toxicity is high and its use during pregnancy is restricted, it is the most likely cause of this infant's anomalies.