Acute premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus after maternal self-medication with nimesulide.
OBJECTIVE
To describe clinical findings in a case of premature ductal constriction associated with maternal use of nimesulide, a cyclo-oxygenase type-2 inhibitor.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
A mother self-administered nimesulide at 39 weeks of gestation due to lower back pain. Less than 24 h later premature ductal constriction was diagnosed by echocardiography following a suspicious fetal heart rate recording with baseline tachycardia and absent accelerations.


CONCLUSIONS
In a term pregnancy, nimesulide administration can rapidly cause premature ductal constriction. This condition may induce abnormalities in the fetal heart rate trace.
Prefumo
Federico
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute G Gaslini, Genova, Italy. federico.prefumo@libero.it
Marasini
Maurizio
M
De Biasio
Pierangela
P
Venturini
Pier Luigi
PL
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004373:Ductus Arteriosus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D013449:Sulfonamides; C012655:nimesulide