Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome can be a serious neurologic comp lication of drug therapy during pregnancy. CASE: A young woman was admitted to the intensive care unit with worsening varicella pneumonia. After being given haldol for agitation, she developed fever, increasing agitation, rigidity, tachycardia, and tremors; she was di agnosed as having neuroleptic malignant syndrome. She was treated successfu lly with bromocriptine and dantrolene. CONCLUSION: Despite the common use of antipsychotic medications, neurolepti c malignant syndrome is seen infrequently during pregnancy. The diagnosis c an be difficult to make, but if suspected, it can be treated successfully. (Obstet Gynecol 2001;98:906-8. (C) 2001 by the American College of Obstetri cians and Gynecologists.).