The Effect of Scavenging on Nitrous Oxide Pollution in the Delivery Suite

Summary: United States standards recommend limits to occupational exposure to nitrous oxide. This can be achieved by the scavenging of waste anaesthetic gases, a routine practice in the operating suite, but less common in the delivery suite. In this study, nitrous oxide levels in the delivery room were measured, and scavenged and unscavenged levels were compared. Unacceptable levels of nitrous oxide were found in unscavenged delivery rooms, and in the majority of cases, scavenging reduced nitrous oxide pollution to within recommended limits.     

Congenital Methemoglobinemia Type II—Clinical Improvement with Short‐Term Methylene Blue Treatment

We report a case of prophylactic management with methylene blue (MB) in an almost 4‐year‐old male with congenital methemoglobinemia type II. He has a CYB5R3 compound heterozygote mutation, causing a cytochrome‐b(5) reductase deficiency. Since the MB treatment regimen has commenced, his methemoglobin level has been significantly lower. He has shown modest behavioral improvements (as assessed on the Achenbach behavior report scales). There have been no iatrogenic side effects. These findings are encouraging for symptomatic improvement with regular prophylactic MB treatment but represent a single case report, which must be interpreted with caution.