Prenatal constriction of the ductus arteriosus following maternal diclofenac medication in the third trimester.

We describe a case of a 21-year-old primigravida at 36 weeks' gestation who was admitted to a local hospital because of abdominal pain. She was prescribed a total of six doses of diclofenac 50 mg over 2 days. One day later, there was difficulty registering the fetal heartbeats on cardiotocography. Ultrasound examination revealed a fetus with ascites and pathological flow over the tricuspid valve. The patient was referred to a tertiary centre for fetal medicine. Fetal echocardiography revealed, in addition to ascites and tricuspid regurgitation, a constricted ductus arteriosus, dilated right ventricle and reduced flow in the pulmonary artery. Immediate caesarean section resulted in an excellent neonatal outcome.