Newborn with Perinatal Naphthalene Toxicity after Maternal Ingestion of Mothballs during Pregnancy

Shafer, Grant; Arunachalam, Athis; Lohmann, Pablo

doi:10.1159/000504345

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The occurrence of hemolysis is higher in patients with G6PD deficiency, as observed in a case report of a 15-year-old boy with hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, and kidney injury following the ingestion of a single naphthalene ball (10). Naphthalene toxicity has also been reported in a newborn baby with a history of maternal mothball ingestion (11). This study suggested the transplacental transfer of naphthalene.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Naphthalene Poisoning During a Decade: A Retrospective Clinical Study

et al. 2021

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: In this study, we investigated the naphthalene poisoning cases using the archived medical records of patients who were referred to Loghman-Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 2008 to 2018. In the 52 studied cases, the highest prevalence was observed in the age groups of below five years and 20 - 25 years. Eighteen (34%) patients had no symptoms, and in others, gastrointestinal problems were the most common complaints. None of the patients needed intubation, and no one was admitted to the intensive care unit. Hemolysis was observed only in one patient with a background of G6PD deficiency. The average length of hospital stay was one day, and all patients improved without any complications. In general, naphthalene poisoning is not highly prevalent in Iran and usually does not cause severe morbidity and mortality. However, it is an available substance and can cause serious complications, especially in children. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the clinical characteristics of these patients to improve the quality of health care.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Naphthalene Poisoning During a Decade: A Retrospective Clinical Study

et al. 2021

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“…There are case reports of methaemoglobinaemia and haemolytic anaemia of the newborn associated with naphthalene inhalation by the mother during pregnancy. Other symptoms of perinatal naphthalene toxicity after maternal ingestion of mothballs in pregnancy include hypotension, hyperbilirubinaemia, sepsis and pulmonary hypertension [ 6 , 7 ]. Fortunately, our patient’s baby was healthy according to the assessment by the neonatology team.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unlike the patient we reported, who willingly revealed her naphthalene use to the obstetric team, some patients might not reveal their use. The baby might clinically deteriorate rapidly if not treated promptly [ 6 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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All in a scent - naphthalene dependence confined to pregnancy: a case report

Wimalasiri

Suraweera

2022

BMC Psychiatry

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Background Inhalant or volatile substance use is a health issue with significant medical and psychiatric sequelae. Inhalants or volatile substances are volatile organic substances found in domestic and commercial products which are inhaled to obtain pleasurable effects. They are easily accessible, cheap, and legal. Common inhalants are spray, paints, glue and shoe polish whilst naphthalene or ‘mothball’ abuse is reported less commonly. We report a case of a 29-year-old female who inhaled and ingested naphthalene during her pregnancy. This case report is unique because the dependence on naphthalene was confined to pregnancy and resolved as soon as she delivered. This brings up the question whether pregnancy in general increases the risk of substance dependence in vulnerable populations or whether the dependence in this patient during pregnancy is due to individual factors. Case presentation The patient we report is a 29-year-old female who developed a strong desire to inhale mothballs during her third pregnancy. The pattern of use started in the first trimester meeting the criteria for dependence syndrome and resolved completely by the second day following delivery. She had features suggestive of harmful use in her second pregnancy as well. Conclusions The case report emphasizes that pregnant women should be screened for psychoactive substance use. Equally important is the need for adequate psychoeducation about the myths and cultural beliefs associated with pregnancy-related cravings and the potentially devastating consequences of harmful cravings on the neonate and the mother. The case highlights how chemicals used in day-to-day activities can lead to dependence.

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“…There are a few available studies on naphthalene teratogenicity Shafer et al (2020) reported that naphthalene crosses the placenta in humans and can result in neonatal toxicity. When naphthalene gas is breathed in, the body breaks it down into other chemicals that counter cells in the body and results in brain tissue damage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructural changes of Basolateral Amygdaloid nuclei in the Sprague Dawley rats brain following exposure to naphthalene balls

S¹,

Sinha²,

Durairaj³

et al. 2021

ijrps

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Naphthalene is a bicyclic aromatic constituent commonly used in different domestic and marketable applications comprising soil fumigants, lavatory scent disks and mothballs. Accidentally, workers, children and animals are exposed to naphthalene mothballs, so there is a need to study the pathology behind this chemical toxicity. The current study was carried out to assess the ultra structural changes of basolateral amygdaloid nuclei in the Sprague Dawley rats brain in association to naphthalene toxicity. The toxicity model group was administered with naphthalene (200 and 400mg) using corn oil as a vehicle for 28 days. The post delayed toxicity of naphthalene high dose ingestion was also assessed in rats. After the experimental period, the brain tissue was processed to observe the ultra structural changes using a transmission electron microscope. The alterations in cell organelles, nuclei damage, mitochondrial swelling, chromatin condensation suggested naphthalene induced damage in the neurons of the basolateral amygdala of the brain in the toxicity model group. These experimental trials provide information about the alert of mothball usage in the home and identify risks linked with accidental exposure and misuse.

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Newborn with Perinatal Naphthalene Toxicity after Maternal Ingestion of Mothballs during Pregnancy

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

Naphthalene Poisoning During a Decade: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Naphthalene Poisoning During a Decade: A Retrospective Clinical Study

All in a scent - naphthalene dependence confined to pregnancy: a case report

Ultrastructural changes of Basolateral Amygdaloid nuclei in the Sprague Dawley rats brain following exposure to naphthalene balls

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