Effects on newborns of applying bupivacaine combined with different doses of fentanyl for cesarean section

BACKGROUND: The choice of anesthesia for cesarean section is very important. AIM: To compare the effects of applying bupivacaine combined with different doses of fentanyl on newborns after cesarean section. METHODS: We randomly divided one hundred and twenty patients undergoing cesarean section into the following 4 groups: group B (bupivacaine group), group BF10 (bupivacaine combined with 10 µg fentanyl), group BF30 (bupivacaine combined with 30 µg fentanyl) and group BF50 (bupivacaine combined with 50 µg fentanyl). The heart rate, mean arterial pressure, block plane fixation time and sensory block time were recorded. Umbilical artery blood was then collected immediately after fetal delivery for blood gas analysis and qualitative detection of fentanyl. Additionally, data on the neonatal 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores, results of umbilical artery blood gas analysis and qualitative detection of fentanyl in umbilical artery blood were recorded. RESULTS: Although the mean arterial pressure decreased in all four groups at 3 min after anesthesia, the percentage of the decrease was less than 20% of the baseline. In addition, there were no significant differences in the 1-min or 5-min Apgar scores or the umbilical artery blood gas analysis among the four groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of fentanyl in umbilical artery blood was qualitatively detected using an ELISA kit, and the results in the four groups were negative. CONCLUSION: Bupivacaine combined with fentanyl spinal anesthesia is effective in cesarean section.