Haloperidol overdose during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Suicide attempts during pregnancy are rare. Over-the-counter and psychotropic medications are most commonly used. Although intentional overdose of haloperidol has been reported in nonpregnant adults, it has not, to our knowledge, been reported previously during pregnancy. In this case of suicide attempt by haloperidol overdose, maternal and fetal responses were studied extensively.


METHODS
Intentional ingestion of 300 mg haloperidol by a pregnant woman at 34 weeks' gestation caused maternal unresponsiveness, an extrapyramidal reaction, temporary fetal akinesia, and a nonreactive nonstress test. The mother recovered in 48 hours. The fetus did not reach a biophysical profile score of ten until 5 days after presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Haloperidol overdose during pregnancy causes a maternal extrapyramidal reaction, temporary fetal akinesia, and prolonged fetal neuromuscular depression.
Hansen
L M
LM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia 19107, USA.
Megerian
G
G
Donnenfeld
A E
AE
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol