Newborn Renal Tubular Acidosis Associated with Prenatal Maternal Toluene Sniffing

Sniffing of volatile organic solvents containing toluene, such as acrylic paints, glues, adhesives, paint thinners, varnishes and shoe polishes, has become increasingly frequent in recent years. Renal tubular acidosis is one of a number of human complications reported in the offspring of mothers inhaling toluene during pregnancy. This article reports a case of a premature newborn with renal tubular acidosis probably due to maternal sniffing of paint containing toluene. Characteristics of this condition are described as well as its medical management. With increasing frequency of maternal glue and paint sniffing, more cases of newborn renal tubular acidosis will likely appear. Physicians should be prepared to manage neonatal tubular acidosis that may accompany maternal toluene sniffing in order to lessen newborn morbidity and/or mortality.