Anesthesia for caesarean section and immediate neonatal outcome

Seventy-eight parturient mothers undergoing elective caesarean section were studied with regard to the immediate neonatal outcome in those receiving general and spinal anesthesia. All mothers were of grade I anesthesia risk, were term and had singleton appropriate for gestational age babies. There was no difference in fetal acid base chemistry in the two groups. Babies delivered after general anesthesia appeared relatively depressed requiring more free flow oxygen and bag and mask ventilation though one minute Apgar scores showed no significant difference in either group. Induction delivery intervals were longer in the spinal group but it was not associated with more morbidity. Uterine incision delivery intervals were very small in both groups and no meaningful conclusion could be drawn as regards effect on the newborn. A plea is made for more frequent use of spinal anesthesia considering its many postnatal advantages.