Does epidural analgesia during labour affect the neonate?
Focus has changed from the immediate postpartum condition to the more long-term outcome of the neonate with respect to the use of epidural analgesia in labour. Anaesthesiologists have been slow to respond to the demand for this information. Newer analgesic agents and techniques may offer some advantage to the neonate; however, extensive study is still needed.
Muir
H A
HA
Anaesthesia, Dalhousie University, and Head, Division of Women's and Obstetric Anaesthesia, IWK Grace Health Centre, 5980 University Avenue, PO Box 3070, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 3G9.