Severe theophylline toxicity in a pregnant asthmatic patient

: A 32 year old pregnant woman who had taken large doses of theophylline for asthmatic attack was brought to our emergency medical center with convulsion and respiratory disturbance. Serum theophylline concentration was 52 micrograms.dl-1 on admission. We intubated the patient to control convulsion and respiration and performed cesarean section. Serum theophylline concentration of the newborn was almost at the same level as that of her mother. Baby was placed on ventilator for several days and discharged without trouble. We must consider the pregnancy as a major risk factor of theophylline toxicity.