[Congenital anomaly of serum pseudocholinesterase originating in neonatal respiratory distress].

Prolonged suxamethonium-induced apnoea was observed after obstetrical anaesthesia in a 30 year old woman with abnormal plasma cholinesterases (homozygous Ea1-Ea1). Flaccidity and apnoea in the child required controlled ventilation for 30 min. Possible mechanisms underlying prolonged apnoea after the use of suxamethonium for obstetrical anaesthesia are discussed. Atypical pseudocholinesterases were identified using quantitative dosage of enzymatic activity and inhibition of atypical pseudocholinesterases by dibucaine, fluoride, chloride, scoline and urea. This was carried out in the patient, her baby and family, thus identifying the genotype of the different family members.