Paraquat poisoning of a pregnant woman can seriously affect both the mother and fetus.
Patient selection: paraquat poisoning of a pregnant woman.
The exposure may be accidental (during agricultural use, manufacture, storage, or transport) or intentional (homicide or suicide).
Risk factors for exposure:
(1) suicidal ideation
(2) ready availability
(3) poor handling practices
A significant exposure will result in multi-organ failure, with:
(1) pulmonary failure, with progression to diffuse fibrosis if the patient survives
(2) acute renal failure
(3) shock
(4) hepatic failure
(5) adrenal failure
(6) toxic encephalitis
Paraquat crosses the placental barrier and may reach higher serum concentrations in the fetus than in the mother.
If the exposure is early in the pregnancy, then there may be spontaneous abortion or teratogenic effects.
Exposure in later pregnancy may lead to:
(1) stillbirth
(2) death soon after delivery due to respiratory failure
(3) normal development
