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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · AJP Rep 2018; 08(04): e384-e386
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676382
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Talcum Powder Toxicosis in Pregnancy

Jon F. Pennycuff
1   National Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
,
Abigail Davenport
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Jane Ellis
3   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
,
Elizabeth Patberg
4   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California
,
Carrie Cwiak
3   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

22 April 2017

08 September 2018

Publication Date:
28 December 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Background Pica is a relatively common phenomenon in pregnancy and typically includes consumption of nontoxic substances such as earth/clay, raw starches, and ice. Occasionally, substances may be toxic or have unintended consequences.

Case A nulliparous woman presented to our facility complaining of numerous, vague symptoms that are common in pregnancy. She had multiple work-ups and an admission to our antepartum unit without clear etiology of her symptoms. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with talcum powder toxicosis secondary to talc ingestion as a coping mechanism for her anxiety, which was heightened in pregnancy.

Conclusion This case highlights the importance of screening for mental health disorders, which may be exacerbated during the peripartum period. Patients' coping mechanisms for mental health disorders may have unintended consequences.

Keywords

talcum - toxicosis - pregnancy - pica