The Effects of Epidural Anesthesia and General Anesthesia on Newborns at Cesarean Section

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).