Comparative analysis of Apgar scores in newborns: the impact of anesthesia methods during cesarean delivery

Abstract

Analgesia during caesarean section has a protective property regarding the condition of mother and child. Anesthesia methods should minimize harm to the newborn. The main problem after general anesthesia is respiratory distress syndrome.The objective: to evaluate the impact of the use of different types of anesthesia (general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia) during cesarean section on the health of newborns.Materials and methods. 120 full-term pregnant women who underwent planned cesarean section were included in the study. The study participants are divided into groups: I group – 70 pregnant women who underwent a cesarean section under general anesthesia; Group II – 50 patients with spinal anesthesia during cesarean section.The duration of labor and the time of induction of anesthesia were carefully recorded. To assess the health of the newborn the Apgar score was used 1, 5 and 10 minutes after delivery.Results. The study found that the method of delivery affects the neonatal Apgar score. Shorter time from anesthesia to birth (within 5 min) and delivery through the uterus (more than 120 s) led to a decrease in Apgar scores by 1 min.At the same time, it was established that the assessment of newborns at birth according to the Apgar scale at the level of 4–6 points after 5 and 10 minutes was lower during childbirth with general anesthesia compared to the assessment of newborns who were born with the use of spinal anesthesia, and at the assessment of 7–10 points – greater after 5 min and 10 min in newborns who were born in childbirth with spinal anesthesia than in babies who were born in childbirth under usual general anesthesia.Conclusions. The results of the study demonstrate that the methods of anesthesia during cesarean section improve the health of the mother and the child. Health care providers can improve prenatal care and outcomes with this knowledge. Spinal anesthesia improves the condition of the newborn, as determined by the Apgar score at three intervals.