Metabolic analysis is presented from a mother who had received the “safe” anaesthetic gas, nitrous oxide during labour and who gave birth to a child who was subsequently diagnosed with autism. The analysis showed evidence of functional vitamin B12 deficiency, a known consequence of the use of nitrous oxide. In particular, the functional B12 deficiency was associated more with methyl B12 deficiency, rather than adenosyl B12 deficiency. Attempts to fix the deficiency by high dose administration of a mix of Adenosyl/Methyl B12 were largely unsuccessful, thereby leaving the mother with potentially permanent nitrous oxide intoxication of the major enzyme involved in cycling vitamin B12, methionine synthase. The metabolic profile was very similar to that observed in the daughter with autism. The data strongly supports the notion, that contrary to the assurances of the medical profession that nitrous oxide was perfectly safe for mother and baby, that nitrous oxide use in labour is not safe for either mother or child, and the use of this Schedule 6 toxin should be totally avoided during labour.

Lay Summary
Studies of children with autism who were born to mothers who used nitrous oxide for pain relief during delivery, have shown that the nitrous oxide has inactivated the vitamin B12, and subsequently the presence of inactive vitamin B12 has led to the developmental delay. The current study describes a similar inactivation of vitamin B12 in one of the mothers of the children in the previous studies, and demonstrates that NO, nitrous oxide use during labour is NOT safe for either mother or children.