Effects of General and Neuraxial Anesthesia on Newborn Via Caesarean Section in Al-Jala Hospital, Tripoli, Libya

الملخص

There is no standard anesthesia technique for caesarean section. Some would say that general anesthesia has
been associated with higher possibility of acquiring complications to the extent that it would lead to the death of
the parturient as well as to the newborn. However, several studies seem to disagree with such statement. Hence,
this gave the researchers the idea to explore the effects of general anesthesia and neuraxial anesthesia on fetus via
caesarean section in Al-Jala Hospital, Tripoli, Libya.
This study utilized a cross-sectional observational type of design. A total of sixty uncomplicated pregnant women
at term (>37 completed weeks) were scheduled to undergo elective caesarian section participated in this study,
within the age range of 20-38 years old. They were allocated and grouped into two, according to their anesthesia
type preference either General Anesthesia (GA, N=30) and Neuraxial Anesthesia (NA, N=30). Based on the results
of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: GA group have more newborns with abnormal clinical signs.
Blood count of the newborns in GA group are higher than NA in terms of WBC, Hemoglobin and platelet. NA
born newborns had slight acidosis while GA born newborns had high PCO2
and HCO3
. Both groups have normal
rectal temperature and respiratory rate except heart rate of the newborns in NA group, which resulted to higher than
normal range. The average mean of WBC, hemoglobin and platelet are in normal range across both groups. Aside
from slight acidosis of NA born newborns, PCO2
and HCO3
have high average mean across both groups. Overall,
large number of participants would guarantee significant neonatal effects of both anesthesia. Individualization of
results would significantly guarantee the specific factors such as immediate measures like neonatal ventilation and
support that alters the apparent findings.