Abstract

Umbilical blood gas values were measured in 35 neonates delivered by cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Values were divided into three groups depending on maternal blood pressure. In one group (n = 9) there was no hypotension (minimum systolic blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg, or >70% of baseline), one group (n = 15) had mild hypotension, (90 mm Hg ≤minimum systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg), and one group (n = 11) had moderate hypotension (minimum systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg). There were no differences in umbilical acid-base values between the hypotensive and nonhypotensive groups. The author postulates that generous fluid administration (1.5-2.0 liters before blockade and a total of 3.3 ± 0.1 liters by delivery) helped protect against hypotension-induced neonatal acidosis.