EPIDURAL-ANESTHESIA FOR CESAREAN-SECTION IN DIABETIC PARTURIENTS - MATERNAL AND NEONATAL ACID-BASE STATUS AND BUPIVACAINE CONCENTRATION

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (8) , 574-578
Abstract
Acid-base status and blood levels of bupivacaine were determined in 16 diabetic parturients and their infants after epidural anesthesia for cesarean section. The newborn infants were divided into 2 groups based on umbilical artery pH at birth. Group A consisted of 10 infants who had a pH of < 7.2 and group B consisted of 6 infants with a pH of > 7.2. Neonatal acidosis was related to both the severity of maternal diabetes and the presence of maternal hypotension after epidural anesthesia. The half-life of bupivacaine was prolonged in acidotic infants. The placental transfer of bupivacaine, as judged by umbilical vein/maternal vein ratios, was significantly greater in acidotic infants.