Thalidomide leads to mandible hypoplasia through inhibiting angiogenesis and secondary hemorrhage in the fetal craniofacial region in rabbits.

•Application of thalidomide to pregnant rabbits resulted in hemorrhages and hematomas in the fetal craniofacial region in rabbits.•Thalidomide may lead to hemorrhages and hematomas by inhibiting angiogenesis through inhibiting the expression of Vegf-α.•The vascular abnormality and hemorrhage may have intimate relationship with mandible hypoplasia.