EFFECT ON APGAR SCORE IN NEONATES BORN TO MOTHERS UNDERGOING GENERAL ANAESTHESIA VERSUS SPINAL ANAESTHESIA FOR ELECTIVE CAESAREAN SECTION

Karandeep singh; Gopal krishan; Malti Agrawal

Volume : V, Issue : II, February - 2016

EFFECT ON APGAR SCORE IN NEONATES BORN TO MOTHERS UNDERGOING GENERAL ANAESTHESIA VERSUS SPINAL ANAESTHESIA FOR ELECTIVE CAESAREAN SECTION

Karandeep Singh, Gopal Krishan, Malti Agrawal

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION: There is no standard anaesthetic technique for caesarean section.General anaesthesia has been associated with higher mortality–morbidity to fetus and mother.Obstetric anaesthesia guidelines recommend regional anaesthesia over general anaesthesia for caesarean section to decrease the risk to both mother and fetus. OBJECTIVE:To compare the APGAR score of full term neonates born to mother undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia or general anaesthesia and to evaluate whether spinal anaesthesia or general anaesthesia is better from fetus point of view. MATERIAL and METHODS: After taking informed written consent 60 healthy full term patients presenting for elective caesarean section of ASA grade 1 and 2 were included in the study.30 patients were given general anaesthesia(group A) and 30 patients were given spinal anaesthesia(group B).APGAR scores were recorded at 1minute and 5 minute interval after each delivery.Time interval between induction/ injection of anaesthesia and delivery of neonate were equal in both groups ranging from 5–10 minutes RESULTS: 23 patients undergoing caesarean section under general anaesthesia gave birth to neonates with APGAR score≤6 at 1 minute where as only 8 patients under going caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia gave birth to neonates with APGAR score <6 at 1 minute. However APGAR score at 5 minutes in both groups were comparable as there was less difference in APGAR scores of babies born to mothers under general anaesthesia and spinal anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: Spinal anaesthesia is safer and less depressent to neonates as compared to general anaesthesia.The neonates born to mothers under spinal anaesthesia tolerate the process of delivery much better than neonates born to mothers under general anaesthesia.