Influence of methoxyflurane-nitrous oxide analgesia during childbirth on renal and hepatic function

Blood urea content and the serum concentrations of sodium, creatinine, uric acid, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (g.o.t.), glutamic pyruvate transaminase (g.p.t.) and bilirubin were measured before delivery, on the 2nd and 3rd days and on the 5th day after delivery. In two groups of mothers, one receiving nitrous oxide analgesia and the other a combination of nitrous oxide and methoxyflurane, blood urea and serum sodium and g.o.t. were increased following labour and nitrous oxide analgesia; s.g.p.t. was increased only in the late post-partum period. Serum sodium, creatinine, uric acid, urea, g.o.t. and g.p.t. increased following exposure to methoxyflurance. The increase in serum sodium, uric acid and urea was dose-dependent. Capillary concentrations of uric acid in the neonates showed dose-dependent changes in response to methoxyflurane.