Background
Thalidomide, prescribed to pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s, caused severe congenital impairments known as thalidomide embryopathy, yet the long-term health and wellbeing of survivors as they reach older adulthood remains underexplored.
Objectives
This scoping review updates the 2017 Newbronner and Atkin review by exploring evidence published between 2017 and 2025 on the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of ageing thalidomide survivors, identifying emerging health issues, care needs, and evidence gaps.
Methods
Searches across nine academic databases and grey literature sources identified studies reporting health, wellbeing, or quality of life among middle-aged and older adults with documented prenatal thalidomide exposure.
Results
Thirty papers from the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, Sweden, Canada, and Australia were included, showing pervasive musculoskeletal deterioration, chronic pain, and increased metabolic disorders. Mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and stress, were common and often linked to pain severity and functional limitations, alongside sensory impairments, dental issues, and functional decline, though many survivors demonstrated resilience.
Conclusions
Ageing thalidomide survivors face complex, progressive health challenges that extend beyond congenital impairments, highlighting a need for coordinated, specialist care to support wellbeing in later life.
