A deep dive into neonatal well-being and anesthesia in cesarean sections: From procedure to outcome

• Published in: Medicine (Baltimore) 2024-11, Vol.103 (44), p.e40404
• Main Authors: Chaudhary, Rahul Kumar, Khan, Sajjad Ahmed, Khanal, Kanak, Yadav, Siddhartha Kumar, Parajuli, Surya Bahadur, Rajbanshi, Laleet Kumar, Jha, Chandra Bhushan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anesthesia, Obstetrical - methods; Anesthetics, Local - administration & dosage; Apgar Score; Bupivacaine - administration & dosage; Cesarean Section - methods; Cesarean Section - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Middle Aged; Observational Study; Pregnancy; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1536-5964; 0025-7974; 1536-5964
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040404

This observational study analyzed data from 502 participants undergoing cesarean section (CS) procedures at an obstetrics and gynecology department, aiming to explore anesthesia practices, neonatal outcomes, and demographic characteristics within the cohort. Participants, aged 17 to 59 years with a mean age of 32.23 years, were enrolled based on the clinical necessity for cesarean delivery during the study period. Informed consent was obtained from each participant or their guardians before data collection, which included detailed demographic information, medical histories, specifics of the cesarean section procedure, and APGAR scores of neonates immediately postbirth (at 0 and 5 minutes). Primary outcomes focused on APGAR scores, critical indicators of neonatal health, while secondary outcomes included the distribution of patient ages, reasons for cesarean sections, and the administration of Bupivacaine during anesthesia. Data were rigorously analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to summarize participant demographics, anesthesia practices, and neonatal outcomes. Statistical methods included measures of central tendency and dispersion, correlation analyzes to explore associations between variables, and regression models to identify predictors of neonatal APGAR scores. The study identified a range of indications for cesarean sections, with common reasons including fetal distress and maternal health complications. Findings indicated an average APGAR score of 7.02 at 0 minutes and 7.84 at 5 minutes, reflecting generally favorable immediate neonatal outcomes. Anesthesia protocols predominantly involved Bupivacaine, with doses ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 mL, administered based on clinical requirements. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of comprehensive data collection and rigorous statistical analysis in evaluating cesarean section procedures. Future research could further explore long-term neonatal outcomes and refine anesthesia protocols to optimize maternal and neonatal health during cesarean deliveries.