Terada S, et al. - In this single-center, prospective observational study, researchers used a continuous respiratory rate monitoring system with a finger sensor to estimate respiratory depression incidence in patients (n=100) who had received epidural morphine 3 mg following cesarean delivery. They defined respiratory depression as both bradypnea (respiratory rate ≤10 breaths/min) and oxygen desaturation (mild ≤95%; moderate ≤90%; severe ≤85%) for longer than one minute. Mild respiratory depression developed in nearly half the women and moderate respiratory depression was present in only one woman. According to findings, early detection of respiratory depression following neuraxial administration of morphine may be possible with the help of continuous respiratory rate monitoring until ambulation.