Maternal diclofenac sodium ingestion and severe neonatal pulmonary hypertension

K L Siu1, W H Lee

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. kiuloksiu@netscape.net

We describe a case of severe pulmonary hypertension and transient right-sided hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a neonate, caused by premature closure of ductus arteriosus after short-term maternal use of diclofenac sodium (Voltaren). In view of this associated complication, diclofenac sodium should be avoided during pregnancy. In addition, maternal diclofenac sodium ingestion should be suspected if a newborn develops severe pulmonary hypertension and/or right-sided hypertrophic cardiomyoptathy with closed ductus arteriosus.