title: MATERNAL HYPOTENSION AND NEONATAL ACIDAEMIA DURING CAESEREAN DELIVERY UNDER SPINAL ANAESTHESIA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of neonatal acidaemia following delivery through caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia and determine the prevalence of maternal hypotension during Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia and its correlation with neonatal acidaemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Nairobi, Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventy-two ASA I and II consecutive term patients undergoing elective Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty three babies (27.2%) were born with neonatal acidaemia, defined as umbilical arterial blood pH 7.2. There was, however, no significant difference in the five minute Apgar scores between the acidotic and non-acidotic neonates. Twenty eight patients (17.7%) developed maternal hypotension (systolic Blood Pressure less than 100mmHg). The hypotension was readily corrected within two minutes (mean of 1.43 minutes) of onset using vasopressors and boluses of intravenous fluids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A short period (< 2 minutes) mean of 1.43 minutes of maternal hypotension has no significant effect on the neonate as assessed by five minute Apgar Scores. Similarly, neonatal acidaemia following Caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia does not seem to have any short-term effects on neonatal well-being.
authors: Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: P R
authors: PR
authors: Olang
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Wamalwa
authors: Omondi-Ogutu
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents