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Comparison of Epidural and General Anaesthesia for Elective Caesarean Delivery According to the Effects on Apgar Scores and Acid‐Base Status
Author(s) -
Şendaǧ Fatih,
Terek C§an,
Öztekin Kemal,
Saǧol Sermet,
Asena Uçar
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1999.tb03134.x
Subject(s) - medicine , umbilical artery , anesthesia , apgar score , lumbar , general anaesthesia , caesarean section , base excess , obstetrics , fetus , surgery , pregnancy , genetics , biology
Summary: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of lumbar epidural anaesthesia on the Apgar score and acid‐base status of the newborn. Umbilical artery blood gases were obtained in 85 singleton, term, uncomplicated pregnancies delivered by elective Caesarean section. The umbilical artery blood pH, PaCO 2 , PaO 2 and HCO 3 values and Apgar scores (1 and 5 minutes) were compared between lumbar epidural and general anaesthesia groups. General anaesthesia was used in 45 (52.9%) women and lumbar epidural anaesthesia in 40 (47.1%). Only 2 of the newborns exposed to epidural anaesthesia had umbilical artery blood pH values 7.19 or less. The mean umbilical artery blood pH was found to be significantly lower in the newborns exposed to lumbar epidural anaesthesia (p = 0.011). None of the newborns in the 2 groups were severely depressed (Apgar scores less than 4). The mean umbilical artery blood PaCO 2 , PaO 2 and HCO 3 values did not show any significant difference between the groups. In conclusion, lumbar epidural anaesthesia is associated with lower umbilical artery blood pH values, occasionally with severe fetal acidaemia.