It is known that tricyclic antidepressants induce long QT intervals associated with forms of life-threatening arrhythmia such as torsades de pointes (TdP), and these adverse effects may also occur in neonates whose mothers take tricyclic antidepressants. We report a neonatal case of prolonged QT interval and TdP caused by clomipramine that was transferred transplacentally from the mother. Administration of magnesium sulfate was effective to abolish TdP.
Conclusion: When mothers take tricyclic antidepressants during pregnancy, their newborns should be watched carefully for drug-induced long QT syndrome and TdP.
What is known: •Tricyclic antidepressant can prolong the QT interval. It may be used for depression in pregnancy. What is New: •This is the first neonatal case report of prolonged QT interval and TdP caused by clomipramine transferred transplacentally from the mother.
Keywords: Clomipramine; Desmethylclomipramine; Placental passage; Prolonged QT interval; Torsades de Pointes.