Neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self-medication by the mother: a case report

Abstract Background Torasemide, a loop diuretic, is rarely used for pregnant women because of the risk of reduced placental blood flow resulting from decreased circulating plasma volume. We experienced a case of a newborn with metabolic alkalosis and mild polyuria. The mother was suspected of self-m...

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Main Authors: Yumi Kitahiro, Mari Hashimoto, Yukako Sonda, Miki Yagi, Kotaro Itohara, Takumi Kido, Kazumichi Fujioka, Hitomi Imafuku, Tomohiro Omura, Ikuko Yano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40780-025-00436-3
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author Yumi Kitahiro
Mari Hashimoto
Yukako Sonda
Miki Yagi
Kotaro Itohara
Takumi Kido
Kazumichi Fujioka
Hitomi Imafuku
Tomohiro Omura
Ikuko Yano
author_facet Yumi Kitahiro
Mari Hashimoto
Yukako Sonda
Miki Yagi
Kotaro Itohara
Takumi Kido
Kazumichi Fujioka
Hitomi Imafuku
Tomohiro Omura
Ikuko Yano
author_sort Yumi Kitahiro
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Torasemide, a loop diuretic, is rarely used for pregnant women because of the risk of reduced placental blood flow resulting from decreased circulating plasma volume. We experienced a case of a newborn with metabolic alkalosis and mild polyuria. The mother was suspected of self-medicating as we detected torasemide in the neonatal serum by LC-MS/MS method. Case presentation A Japanese pregnant woman in her 20s with mental illness, symptoms of panic and eating disorders, and a history of overdosing on over-the-counter medications, was referred to our hospital for birth control. She presented with vomiting following bulimia nervosa and hypokalemia. Her baby was delivered vaginally at 36 weeks and 4 days of gestation. The baby’s blood gas analysis on day 0 revealed metabolic alkalosis (pH > 7.42, HCO3 - > 28 mmHg). Up to 16 h after birth, mild polyuria and a urine output of 3.3 mL/kg/h were observed without the administration of diuretics. We suspected diuretic intake by the mother before delivery, because she had a history of taking torasemide before being referred to the hospital. As expected, torasemide was detected in the baby’s serum. The serum concentration on the first day after delivery (4.80 ng/mL) gradually decreased to 0.45 ng/mL on day 5, whereas torasemide was not detected in the maternal serum. Neonatal metabolic alkalosis improved by day 3 following birth. Conclusions This case suggests close counseling and monitoring of pregnant women before childbirth regarding their past and present use of drugs, particularly in those with mental illness.
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spelling doaj-art-d4f37cb4e9234cebb5f04136b5c490872025-08-20T02:17:13ZengBMCJournal of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences2055-02942025-04-011111510.1186/s40780-025-00436-3Neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self-medication by the mother: a case reportYumi Kitahiro0Mari Hashimoto1Yukako Sonda2Miki Yagi3Kotaro Itohara4Takumi Kido5Kazumichi Fujioka6Hitomi Imafuku7Tomohiro Omura8Ikuko Yano9Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University HospitalDepartment of Pharmacy, Kobe University HospitalDepartment of Pharmacy, Kobe University HospitalDepartment of Pharmacy, Kobe University HospitalDepartment of Pharmacy, Kobe University HospitalDepartment of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe UniversityDepartment of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, Kobe University HospitalDepartment of Pharmacy, Kobe University HospitalAbstract Background Torasemide, a loop diuretic, is rarely used for pregnant women because of the risk of reduced placental blood flow resulting from decreased circulating plasma volume. We experienced a case of a newborn with metabolic alkalosis and mild polyuria. The mother was suspected of self-medicating as we detected torasemide in the neonatal serum by LC-MS/MS method. Case presentation A Japanese pregnant woman in her 20s with mental illness, symptoms of panic and eating disorders, and a history of overdosing on over-the-counter medications, was referred to our hospital for birth control. She presented with vomiting following bulimia nervosa and hypokalemia. Her baby was delivered vaginally at 36 weeks and 4 days of gestation. The baby’s blood gas analysis on day 0 revealed metabolic alkalosis (pH > 7.42, HCO3 - > 28 mmHg). Up to 16 h after birth, mild polyuria and a urine output of 3.3 mL/kg/h were observed without the administration of diuretics. We suspected diuretic intake by the mother before delivery, because she had a history of taking torasemide before being referred to the hospital. As expected, torasemide was detected in the baby’s serum. The serum concentration on the first day after delivery (4.80 ng/mL) gradually decreased to 0.45 ng/mL on day 5, whereas torasemide was not detected in the maternal serum. Neonatal metabolic alkalosis improved by day 3 following birth. Conclusions This case suggests close counseling and monitoring of pregnant women before childbirth regarding their past and present use of drugs, particularly in those with mental illness.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40780-025-00436-3Metabolic alkalosisNewbornPregnancyTorasemideLoop diuretic
spellingShingle Yumi Kitahiro
Mari Hashimoto
Yukako Sonda
Miki Yagi
Kotaro Itohara
Takumi Kido
Kazumichi Fujioka
Hitomi Imafuku
Tomohiro Omura
Ikuko Yano
Neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self-medication by the mother: a case report
Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences
Metabolic alkalosis
Newborn
Pregnancy
Torasemide
Loop diuretic
title Neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self-medication by the mother: a case report
title_full Neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self-medication by the mother: a case report
title_fullStr Neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self-medication by the mother: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self-medication by the mother: a case report
title_short Neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self-medication by the mother: a case report
title_sort neonatal metabolic alkalosis and mild diuresis resulting from torasemide self medication by the mother a case report
topic Metabolic alkalosis
Newborn
Pregnancy
Torasemide
Loop diuretic
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40780-025-00436-3
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