Neonatal outcome in cesarean section under general anesthesia, related to gestational age, induction-delivery and...

Neonatal outcome after cesarean section under general anesthesia was studied in 568 women in whom no prior signs of fetal distress were evident. Low Apgar 1-minute scores were not related to induction-delivery and/or to uterus-delivery intervals, which were all within the accepted safe limits, but were related to the gestational age. Thus, Apgar scores less than 7 were found in 62% of newborns whose gestational age was less than 35 weeks, but in only 17% of those greater than or equal to 35 weeks. The importance of gestational age, in addition to the induction-delivery and uterus-delivery intervals, is discussed in relation to neonatal outcome following cesarean section.