[Possible embryofetopathy caused by beta-blocker (sotalol) taken throughout the pregnancy]

The authors envisage the hypothesis of an embryofetal intoxication by a beta-blocker (B-), sotalol, taken by the mother, not hypertensive, during all her pregnancy (160 mg/day). The fullterm newborn, hypotrophic and hypothermic, is suffering from facial dysmorphy with microcephaly, and present a severe tracheal stenosis associated with cardiopathy and important rhythm disorders: bradycardia and permanent bigeminate ventricular extrasystoles for three days. Course is fatal at five months old. On the occasion of this probable intoxication, a brief recall about pharmacology and physiopathology of transplacental passage of B- during pregnancy is done. Then, are enumerated the experimental repercussion of B blockers and their more often theoretical than real undesirable effects, on the fetus. Sotalol is possibly a B-specially aggressive, when it is prescribed abusively, on account of its excellent diffusibility and of its high tissular impregnation.