Respiratory stimulants in treatment of perinatal asphyxia.

The effects of two analeptic drugs-taloximine and ethamivan-have been studied in asphyxiated fetal and newborn rabbits. In primary apnoea ethamivan reduced the time before the onset of gasping, while during gasping taloximine increased the gasp rate. In secondary apnoea neither drug initiated respiration, though most animals could be resuscitated by using intermittent positive pressure respiration. From these results it is suggested that analeptic drugs have no place in obstetric or neonatal departments.