FETAL-NEONATAL STATUS FOLLOWING CAESAREAN SECTION FOR FETAL DISTRESS

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Abstract
Fetal biochemical and neonatal clinical data were compiled in 126 emergency Cesarean sections performed for fetal distress. The choice of anesthetic technique was determined by the wishes of the mother. General anesthesia [thiopentone or ketamine-thiopentone] was administered to 71 parturients and regional analgesia [amethocaine or 2-chloroprocaine] to 55 (subarachnoid block 33, extension of extradural block 22). The etiologies of fetal distress and the skin incision-delivery and uterine incision-delivery intervals were not significantly different between the 2 anesthesia groups. Umbilical artery blood pH values were higher than the last scalp capillary blood pH values in 63% of the general anesthesia and in 80% of the regional analgesia cases. Umbilical vein and artery blood-gas and pH data were similar in the 2 anesthesia groups, but 1-min Apgar scores were significantly better following regional analgesia. Despite the presence of fetal distress, subarachnoid blockade was a most suitable method of anesthesia in experienced hands.