Petrol ingestion poisoning in a pregnant woman.

A 38-week pregnant patient, weighing 70 Kgs, with poisoning by petrol ingestion, showing mixed acidosis and with a fetus with cardiotocographic alterations and oligohydramnios, underwent an urgent caesarean section under general anaesthesia. After 15 days from ingestion no complications were observed, the mother's vital parameters were normal and no severe complications were seen in the newborn (2900 g; 49 cm). There are no similar cases of intense hydrocarbon ingestion in pregnant women as far as we know. Thus, in order to evaluate the toxicity of such chemical agents on pregnant patients and fetuses, we must consider the quantity of ingested hydrocarbons, gestation time and metabolism modifications which physiologically occur during pregnancy.