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Fentanyl citrate analgesia during labor
W Rayburn1, A Rathke, M P Leuschen
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha 68105.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|July 1, 1989
Summary
Fentanyl citrate offers effective labor pain relief with minimal maternal sedation. This study found no adverse effects on newborns when using this analgesic during childbirth.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pharmacology
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Fentanyl citrate is a potent, short-acting narcotic analgesic.
- It is associated with less nausea and sedation compared to morphine or meperidine.
- Intrapartum pain management requires safe and effective options for laboring women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a safe and adequate intravenous dosing schedule for fentanyl citrate during labor.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fentanyl citrate for intrapartum analgesia.
Main Methods:
- A prospective investigation involving 137 women with uncomplicated term pregnancies.
- Intravenous administration of fentanyl citrate (50 mcg or 100 mcg hourly as needed) during active labor.
- Comparison of neonatal outcomes between infants exposed to fentanyl citrate and a control group.
Main Results:
- Fentanyl citrate provided temporary analgesia and mild sedation in all participants.
- A brief decrease in fetal heart rate variability was observed but resolved within 30 minutes.
- No significant differences were found in neonatal respiratory depression, Apgar scores, or neurodevelopmental outcomes between exposed and unexposed infants.
Conclusions:
- The described intravenous dosing schedule for fentanyl citrate is safe and effective for intrapartum analgesia.
- Fentanyl citrate use during labor does not pose immediate or prolonged hazards to the mother or the unborn infant.
- This analgesic provides a beneficial option for labor pain management.