Re: Is Nitrous Oxide Safe for Children with Down Syndrome

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

Maybe this information will help you:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20680153

Mostly, I have heard an association of the MTHFR gene mutation in children with

autism, but currently researchers are looking into links between autism and Down

syndrome (sounds like this is a significant link!!). Most of the information you

are seeking will be found, therefore, on autism sites. Here is some information

I found for you:

" Nitrous oxide depletes the B12/folate system. It deactivates methionine

synthase, which is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of homocysteine and

methyltetrahydrofolate to methionine and tetrahydrofolate. Such a deactivation

in a patient with a defect in the MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase)

gene, which is associated with diminished enzyme activity, could result in

increased homocysteine levels, increased oxidative stress, and activated NMDA

glutamate receptors. All of these could contribute to inflammation;

additionally, nitrous oxide also may cause hematologic problems, neuropathy, and

neurotoxic effects. "

Source: http://www.autism.com/fam_AnesthesiaandtheAutisticchild.asp

Also of significant interest, are these articles, which say women with this

mutation are more prone to have children with Down syndrome:

http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/fruit-womb/down-syndrome-and-folate-metab\

olism

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/mthfr.html

I find this very interesting since I had a severe reaction to nitrous oxide when

I was a child. I wonder, now, if it is related in some way.

In the future, I would refrain from the use of this gas, until genetic testiing

is done for this mutation.

Propofol in a hospital setting is safer. (I know that sounds extreme, but most

dental work for difficult patients must be done in this way.)

>

> Hi,

>

> I am hoping that some of you out there can help with this question:

>

> Is nitrous oxide safe for children with mosaic down syndrome?

>

> The dentist is recommending that he use nitrous oxide to fill my daughters'

very small cavity. I have heard that nitrous oxide might not be Ok to use with

kids with down syndrome due to the MTHFR gene. Apparently nitrous oxide can

diminish B12 levels. I don't know much more about it. Do all kids with down

syndrome have a problem with the MTHFR gene? Have any of you had your kids

teeth worked on with nitrous oxide? How did it go?

>

> Any help/information you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

>

> Pat

>