Anesthesia for cesarean section.--VI Late effects on the infant of enflurane anesthesia for cesarean section.

Enflurane anesthesia for cesarean section has given favourable results with regard to anesthetic effect and lack of depression of the neonate. Enflurane is metabolized to fluoride. High serum levels of inorganic fluoride are nephrotoxic. The nephrotoxic level is known for healthy adult kidneys but not for neonatal kidneys. In a study on enflurane anesthesia for cesarean section serum analyses revealed increased inorganic fluoride levels in the neonates. To exclude unwanted effects on the children, a follow-up study was undertaken 6-12 months after delivery. General development and renal function were studied. No abnormalities were found, indicating that enflurane anesthesia for cesarean section has no persistent unfavourable effects on the children.