Intoxication of the Fetus by a Local Anesthetic

Abstract

OVER a two-year period we have observed 4 newborn babies who have been intoxicated by a local anesthetic administered during caudal anesthesia of the mother in labor. In each case a visible puncture mark in the scalp indicated that the drug had been accidentally injected directly into the fetus. We believe that the syndrome in the infant is a clinically distinct, previously unrecognized complication of maternal caudal anesthesia.A preliminary report of the occurrence of this complication has recently appeared.¹ The present communication describes in detail the clinical features and response to various therapeutic measures, including drug removal by exchange . . .