Long-Term Consequences of Fetal Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist Exposure

Abstract

Fetal angiotensin II receptor antagonist exposure is associated with major complications and even death when administered during pregnancy. Neonates frequently require intensive care treatment, and mortality is high. Despite this well-known risk potential, a considerable number of women still receive angiotensin II receptor antagonists during pregnancy to treat arterial hypertension. Although clinical symptoms in the neonatal period are well described, few reports address long-term follow-up after fetal exposure to angiotensin II receptor antagonists. We here report on a patient who was unwittingly exposed to olmesartan medoxomil during pregnancy. After birth, the neonate presented with mild clinical symptoms, mainly affecting the kidneys. However, neurodevelopmental follow-up revealed a delay in motor development with muscular hypotonia and failure to thrive at age 2 years. This case highlights the fact that, despite not causing neurological symptoms in the neonatal period, fetal angiotensin II receptor antagonist exposure during pregnancy might lead to neurodevelopmental impairment in later life.