Published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, a new study highlights the growing neurological consequences of recreational nitrous oxide abuse, particularly among young adults.

Subacute combined degeneration of the cord (SACD) is traditionally associated with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and affects the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord. Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B₁₂ by oxidising its cobalt ion, impairing critical metabolic pathways necessary for myelin integrity. This results in neurological dysfunction, often presenting as a myeloneuropathy. A recent single-centre case series study examined nitrous oxide-induced myeloneuropathy in patients presenting to Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin between October 2022 and July 2024.¹

In December 2025, the National Suicide Research Foundation published the 2024 National Self-Harm Registry Ireland annual report.¹ The report contains information relating to every recorded presentation of deliberate self-harm to acute hospital emergency departments in Ireland in 2024, as well as details of complete national coverage of cases treated. All individuals who were alive on admission to hospital following deliberate self-harm were included, along with the methods of deliberate self-harm that were used. Accidental overdoses of medication, street drugs, or alcohol were not included.

The Danger of Viral Exposure (DOVE) Service in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin was established to meet the specific needs of pregnant women who have or are at risk of blood-borne or sexually transmitted bacterial or viral infections in pregnancy. Exposure may also occur through illicit substance use. Figures from the service for 2024 were published in the hospital’s annual report in 2025.¹

Clinical activity

Figure 1 shows the number of women who booked into the DOVE Service for antenatal care each year during the period 2014–2024. It also shows the diagnosis of viral disease for these women.

The Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) Project was set up in Ireland in 2016 to provide robust information relating to the incidence and profile of self-harm within prison settings, as well as individual-specific and context-specific risk factors relating to self-harm. In addition, it examines patterns of repeat self-harm (both non-fatal and fatal). The HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Research Foundation assist the Irish Prison Service with data management, data analysis, and reporting.

This article highlights findings from a report presenting data in the analysis of all episodes of self-harm across the Irish prison estate during 2024.¹