[Neonatal withdrawal symptoms following the use of clomipramine during pregnancy]. / Neonatale onthoudingsverschijnselen na clomipramine-gebruik in de zwangerschap.

ABSTRACT

The case is described of a neonate who suffered from withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours after birth as a result of the use of clomipramine by the mother during pregnancy. The symptoms consisted of increased irritability, alternating hyper- en hypotonia, hyperreflexia, cyanosis and hypothermia. He was treated with clonazepam with good result. Prescription of clomipramine during pregnancy should be restricted to specific cases and the doses should be kept as low as possible. Because the symptoms are withdrawal symptoms, phenobarbital should not be used as treatment, as it increases drug metabolism by the liver causing an even faster decrease of plasma concentrations of clomipramine. Clonazepam is the drug of choice.