The effect of epidural analgesia on maternal and early neonatal
outcomes, in Qatar State.
Abstract
Purpose: We aim to describe the maternal and neonatal morbidities
associated with labour epidural analgesia. Methods: This was a
retrospective cohort data analysis of PEARL-Peristat Study data, Hamad
Medical Corporation- QATAR STATE. The sample for this study comprised of
births for the year 2017 in Women’s Hospital. Women who had EA compared
to women with no EA during labour. We analyzed 7721 singleton vaginal
births at 24 weeks and above conducted in Woman’s hospital (WH) between
January 2017 and April 2018. We then excluded babies with major
congenital abnormalities, stillbirths, immediate neonatal death in
labour room or operating theatre, birth weights <2500g or
>4000g, gestational age at birth <37 weeks or
>41+6 weeks, women with diabetes and hypertension,
precipitate labour where total labour duration was less than 180 minutes
and other missing data. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM
SPSS 26 statistical software with statistical significance set at
p<0.05. Results: The tables showed a comparison between the
group which received EA and the other group which did not receive it.
There was a significant association between EA and many risks of mother
pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. On the other side, no significant
correlation was found between EA and other variables. Conclusion: The
use of EA was associated with many maternal and neonatal-perinatal
risks. It may prolong all stages of labour, precipitates instrumental
delivery need, increase NICU admission for different risk factors
including respiratory distress and rule out sepsis. We recommend
including these risk factors in counseling, before choosing EA.