Stress protein response and analgesic treatment during labour

Summary

Serum levels of the stress protein alpha, acid glycoprotein were measured before, during and after labour in 31 patients, 21 of whom were treated for pain with intramuscular pethidine and ten with an epidural block. Levels of the glycoprotein were increased from pre-labour values during late labour, at delivery and postpartum in patients given pethidine. In the group given epidural analgesia, no change was found in alpha, acid glycoprotein concentration during labour but on day 1 postpartum an increase comparable with that in the pethidine series was found. Levels of the glycoprotein in umbilical venous blood taken at delivery were similar in the two groups.