If a pregnant woman is receiving lithium therapy, then the infant will show serum levels similar to the mother.
Clinical findings in a neonate exposed to lithium in utero:
(1) neonatal goiter
(2) CNS depression and lethargy
(3) hypotonia with floppy infant
(4) cardiac murmur
(5) cyanosis
If the woman was taking lithium during the first trimester, then the risk of cardiovascular malformations is increased, especially for Ebstein's anomaly (malformed triscuspid valve and septal defect).
If the mother's serum lithium level is elevated, then the neonate will also show signs of intoxication.
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