A neonatal prolonged QT syndrome due to maternal use of oral tricyclic antidepressants

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.(Table presented.)