Non-accidental ergometrine administration to a postcircumcision bleeding neonate: A case report

Abstract

Ergometrine, is a widely used drug in the management of the third stage of labour to control postpartum haemorrhage. Few cases of ergometrine toxicity had earlier been documented when accidentally administered into neonates instead of Vitamin K but no case of non-accidental ergometrine administration has been reported. We present case of a 19 day old term male neonate who presented to peripheral hospital with unconsciousness and shallow respiratory efforts of thirty minutes duration. The patient had intramuscular ergometrine administered to him with the aim of stopping post circumcision bleeding. The challenges in management and lesson learnt are hereby presented.