Severe neurologic and hepatic toxicity in a newborn prenatally exposed to methamphetamine. A case report

Objective: In the recent years the increase of methamphetamines (MTA) abusers women has become an emerging problem. Very little data has been published regarding the effects of prenatal MTA exposure. We describe a case of MTA related toxicity in a term newborn which have early onset of neonatal encephalopathy and liver failure.

Case report: A term infant born to a MTA abuser mother developed seizures and severe neurological symptoms shortly after birth. Methamphetamine was detected both in maternal and in neonatal urine. The laboratoristic tests revealed severe hepatic insufficiency, coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia. Due to neonatal encephalopathy the newborn underwent hypothermia. Phenobarbital, fresh frozen plasma, platelet transfusions and vitamin K were administered. Cranial ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed diffuse white matter damage and two ischemic-hemorrhagic cerebral lesions. Gradually the clinical conditions improved, at 1 month MRI showed a stabilization of cerebral lesions with residual diffuse leukomalacia. Physiotherapy and neurological follow up is ongoing to evaluate the long term effects.

Conclusions: although infrequent, MTA-related toxicity should be suspected in infants with neurologic and hepatic symptoms. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings in order to identify newborns at high risk of acute MTA toxicity in time to provide them the appropriate support.