Abstract:

We compared Apgar scores and umblical arterial and venous blood gas samples of infants following the application of general anesthesia or lumbar epidural anesthesia during cesarean section. Sixty-two pregnant women whose babies were to be delivered at term by cesarean section were recruited for this study and randomized to receive either general anesthesia (GA) (n = 31), or lumbar epidural anesthesia (EA) (n = 31). Following delivery, a segment of the umbilical cord was doubly clamped, and arterial and venous blood gas samples were taken. In both groups, Apgar scores were recorded at 1 and 5 min. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups for 1 min Apgar scores (P > 0.05). In the GA group, 5 min Apgar scores were significantly lower than those of the EA group (P < 0.05). However, no treatment was required. In addition, when comparing the groups, no significant difference in umbilical cord arterial and venous blood gas analyses was noted (P < 0.05).

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