Benzodiazepine Intoxication in a Neonate by Maternal Use in Pregnancy

The abuse of benzodiazepines by pregnant women can cause intoxication in the neonate. Benzodiazepines can diffuse readily across the placenta to the fetus because of their high lipid solubility. After the sixth month of pregnancy, the loss of the cytotrophoblasts from the placenta further facilitates the transport of benzodiazepines across the placenta. They may persist for at least a week in pharmacologically active concentrations after administration of high dosages to the mother. We report about a floppy, drowsy and pulmonary impaired newborn delivered in the 36th week of gestation. The mother was a regular user of clorazepate, a long-acting benzodiazepine during pregnancy.