A comparative study of general anesthesia versus combined spinal–epidural anesthesia on the fetus in cesarean section

Background
Obstetric anesthesia guidelines recommend regional over general anesthesia for most caesarean sections to decrease the risk for both fetus and mother.
Aim of the work
To determine the effects of combined spinal epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia on the newborns and the mother undergoing elective cesarean section.
Subjects
A total of 60 consecutive women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at term and scheduled to undergo elective cesarean section at Kasr Al-Aini obstetric hospital participated in this prospective study. The women were divided into 2 groups (each 30), a general anesthesia group (A) and combined spinal–epidural anesthesia group (B).
Methods
Umbilical artery blood gas analysis and Apgar scores were assessed at 1 and 5 min after delivery in the newborn while systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and (capnography in general anesthesia) were measured preoperative and after 5, 10 and 15 min of induction of anesthesia in the mothers. In addition, the time from induction of anesthesia till delivery of the fetus and duration in operative room were measured.
Results
Apgar score recorded statistically significant differences between the 2 groups at 1 min and 5 min, where with combined spinal–epidural anesthesia the Apgar score readings were higher than with general anesthesia. HCO readings showed a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups after 1 and 5 min, where the newborns in general anesthesia group had a statistically significant lower HCO compared to the newborns in combined spinal–epidural group. Patients in general anesthesia group were significantly more tachycardic compared to patients in combined spinal–epidural group.
Conclusion
Combined spinal–epidural anesthesia is safer on the newborn than general anesthesia regarding the APGAR scores and acid–base balance.