Pethidine for labor analgesia; monitoring of newborn heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation during the first 24 hours after the delivery

Abstract

Background: There is no information about an effect of pethidine labor analgesia on newborn vital signs in the first hours after the delivery. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess changes in heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation during the first 24 hours of life in neonates born after using pethidine for labor analgesia. Methods: 55 full-term neonates, 34 from intramuscular pethidine labor anesthesia in doses 50-100 mg and 21 born to mothers without any pharmacological form of anesthesia, were studied. Heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure (SBP and DPB) were monitored using a Nellcor Oxi Max monitor N5500 (Tyco Healthcare), and recorded at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Results: No significant differences in the heart rate (144; 139; 141; 142,5 versus 142; 140,5; 138; 141 beats/ minute), oxygen saturation (97%; 98%; 98%; 98,5%; versus 98%, 98%, 98%, 98%), SBP (66,5; 67; 66; 66,5 versus 68,5; 65; 64; 64,5 mmHg) and DBP (33,5; 35; 37; 40 versus 34; 32; 32; 38 mmHg) at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours between pethidine and controls groups were found. Conclusions: Intramuscular pethidine analgesia during the first stage of labor in doses 50-100 mg does not significantly modify the oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure in infants during the first 24 hours of their life.