Acute respiratory distress during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. A probable case of anaphylactoid reaction to Syntocinon.

A case of life-threatening respiratory distress during a Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia is reported. Possible causes of the event including anaphylactoid reactions and the methods of their diagnosis are discussed. The most likely cause of the episode was felt to be an anaphylactoid reaction to Syntocinon.