Neonatal bromide intoxication: prenatal ingestion of a large quantity of bromides with transplacental accumulation in the fetus.

A 27-year-old woman who was 34 weeks pregnant was admitted in a semicomatose state. Five days later she gave birth to an infant who demonstrated significant CNS depression. Elevated blood levels confirmed bromide intoxication in both the mother and infant secondary to chronic maternal bromide ingestion (Nervine). Simultaneous determinations revealed a higher initial serum bromide level in the infant compared to that of the mother in spite of a subsequent more rapid rate of disappearance in the neonate. It is suggested that the drug history obtained from the pregnant woman include nonprescription medications containing bromides. This possibility should also be included in the differential diagnosis in infants exhibiting evidence of CNS depression, particularly those born to mothers classified as neurotic or psychotic.