Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #epidurals
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So folks wanted a #journalclub on the @JAMAPediatrics paper on #epidurals and #autism. Ok......here we go!
1. Let's review the intro first. Beyond conjecture, they offer scant data to justify their study which was an animal study (ref 5). They say 'standard clinical doses of LAs 👇produce neurotoxic effects & altered neurobeh devlpment in monkeys.' 
These aren't standard doses. We use in fact substantially lower concentrations & doses of epidural local anesthetics. Plus, this small study in non-laboring monkeys included multiple behav outcomes. So high likelihood of chance finding. Also, anyone know if monkeys get ASD??
There is nothing in this study – nothing – to support claims that #epidurals increase the risk of #autism in offspring. Let’s take a closer look at what the authors have actually found... jamanetwork.com/journals/jamap… @JAMAPediatrics
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The authors analysed data from electronic medical records & compared rates of #autism #ASD diagnosis between women who’d had epidurals vs. those who hadn’t.
They found that epidurals were associated with a “37% increased risk of ASD” – which sounds scary. But the actual risk was very similar in both groups: between 1-2%.
MYTH BUSTER: #anaesthesia & #anaesthetists are hard words to say (I’m one & have trouble!) & people are sometimes confused about what we do (even other doctors!) and that’s fair enough, but we are way more than just people who “put you to sleep” for your surgery #covid19aus 1/
It’s better to think of us as #anesthesiologists (with an american accent!) like they say in the US. We are medical specialists. We have a medical degrees & a specialist qualification, are highly trained having done continuous training until we are often at least 30 years old 2/
We assess all aspects of you before giving you an anaesthetic - Such as your health conditions, your medication, your worries/concerns about what about to happen to you, your pain requirements, & make decisions about the safest anaesthetic to give you for your surgery 3/
