[Antipsychotic agents and pregnant women. A case report].

Teratogenic effects of drugs are not limited to visual malformations but also include developmental disturbances. Probably drugs that inhibit nerve signals such as dopamine in the central nervous system can affect the maturing of the foetal brain in the last trimester and in the postpartum period, as shown in animal studies. We have observed an infant girl with psychomotoric disturbances which occurred at the age of two weeks. The mother had received 108 mg perfenazin decanoate intramuscular injections four times during the second and third trimester, the last two times were three weeks and two days before delivery, which was at term. The symptoms resembled tardive dyskinesia. Periodically the baby showed restlessness and uttered high-pitched cries. The literature on neuroleptics indicates no major teratogenic risk, but possible risk of behavioural teratogenicity. We recommend greater caution in connection with prescribing neuroleptics in pregnancy.