Association Between Intrapartum Nitrous Oxide for Labor Analgesia and Short-Term Neonatal Outcomes

( Obstet Gynecol. 2024;143:677–682. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005554) Methods of management for pain during labor can include systemic opioids, inhaled gas, and neuraxial analgesia; one popular and effective method is inhaled nitrous oxide, with its use increasing recently in the United States. Though its use is increasing, it is known to cross the placenta and it is unknown if its use is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. There are biologically plausible concerns about the short-term effects on neonates if nitrous oxide is used intrapartum, but little evidence to support one conclusion or another. This study was designed to assess an association between intrapartum nitrous oxide and adverse short-term neonatal outcomes, with a null hypothesis that there would be no significant differences.