Transplacental isopropanol exposure: Case report and review of metabolic principles

Isopropanol, a known central nervous system depressant has been reported to cause toxicity via multiple routes including ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure. We present a case of transplacental isopropanol exposure in a neonate. A woman reported polysubstance abuse in the 1 to 2 days before precipitously delivering a newborn infant. The neonate developed hypotension, hypotonia and seizure activity within the first few hours of life. Blood samples from the infant revealed toxic levels of isopropanol. Similar symptoms have been reported in infants with isopropanol toxicity from other routes of exposure.