Normal Fetal Outcome after Maternal Ciguateric Toxin Exposure in the Second Trimester

Abstract

A case of a severe episode of ciguatera poisoning in a mother during the second trimester is presented. The mother experienced an increase of fetal movements one hour after the poisonous meal. She endured multisystemic symptoms typical of ciguatera for eight weeks. The presence of ciguatoxin in the fish was confirmed by immunoassay and two bioassays. The newborn at term was normal with adequate respiratory and neurological reflexes. The child developed normally in his first 10 months. This is in contrast with another report of a mother exposed to ciguatoxin at term who delivered an infant suffering from facial palsy and possible myotonia of the hands. Dose and gestational timing may explain these observed differences.

KEY WORDS:

• ciguatera
• ciguatoxin
• in utero exposure
• pregnancy
• food-poisoning
• barracuda