Determination of bupivacaine in human fetal and neonatal blood samples by quantitative single ion monitoring

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Abstract
The blood levels of bupivacaine administered epidurally during labour have been determined in mother, fetus and the newborn infant by quantitative single ion monitoring, following gas chromatographic separation. Concentrations were determined from the height of the peak obtained at m/e 140 derived from bupivacaine compared with that at m/e 154 derived from the internal standard, 1‐n‐pentyl‐2‐(2′,6′‐xylylcarbamoyl)piperidine. Results from six mothers and their infants showed that the drug passed rapidly from the maternal circulation to the infant. The plasma half‐life of the drug in the newborn infant was 18 h compared with 1.25 h for the adult.