Assessment of fetal antioxidant and oxidant status during different anesthesia techniques for elective cesarean sections

Background: We aimed to investigate the eff ects of general, spinal and epidural anesthesia on fetal total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) during elective cesarean section in this study. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomly allocated into three groups: Group spinal (n = 15), group epidural (n = 17), and group general (n = 15), Th is prospective randomized study was performed in Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Ozal University, Turkey. After the baby was delivered; TAS, TOS levels, and arterial blood gases parameters were analyzed in an umbilical arterial blood sample. OSI values are calculated by a ratio of TOS to the TAS. Results: Th e levels of TAS and TOS in umbilical arterial blood sample were not statistically diff erent among three. However, OSI values were signifi cantly diff erent among the three groups (P = 0.042). Median OSI values is 24 (interquartile range [IQR], 2-37) in group spinal, 19 (IQR, 4-44) in group epidural, and 8 (IQR, 4-36) in group general. Th ere was no signifi cant diff erence in OSI values in the comparison of group spinal with group general and group epidural, but it was signifi cantly lower in group general when compared with group epidural with Bonferroni correction (P = 0.017). Umbilical cord arterial blood gas values (pH, PaCO2, PaO2, SaO2, HCO3, and CtO2), glucose, lactate, and hemoglobin levels were similar in three groups. Conclusion: General anesthesia may be more favorable than epidural in those undergoing cesarean section when fetal oxidative status gains importance.