Citation

Sahni M, Vibert Y, Bhandari V, Menkiti O. Pediatrics 2019; 143(6): ePub.

Affiliation

Division of Neonatology, St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Academy of Pediatrics)

DOI

10.1542/peds.2018-3619

PMID

31064798

Abstract

Naphthalene poisoning due to exposure to mothballs is a common cause of toxicity in children worldwide. Naphthalene toxicity is known to cause hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, and hepatic and renal injury. Neonates are more susceptible to the effects of oxidative stress from naphthalene because of their low glutathione stores and immaturity of hepatic enzymes. However, there are no reported cases of chronic fetal exposure to naphthalene during pregnancy. We report a novel case of chronic fetal exposure to naphthalene-containing mothballs that occurred from the second trimester through the third trimester of pregnancy. Our patient presented with hyperbilirubinemia, requiring exchange transfusion, severe hemolytic anemia, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, and renal failure and progressed to develop "bronze baby" syndrome. Pregnant mothers should be diligently screened for such exposures and if found should receive psychiatric evaluation and counseling to prevent such devastating effects in neonates.

Copyright © 2019 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Language: en