Author: Rosemary M. NWOKORIE , Shiktira D. KWARI, Saidu Y. YAKUBU, Abdulhakeem O. AKINTOBI

Manuscript ID: AFMJ-Apr-2024-680 Date Published: 2024-05-28 07:08:04

Background:

Hypertension is one of the most common medical disorders occurring in pregnancy and complicates 5 -10% of all pregnancies. The type of anaesthetic technique used in caesarean deliveries has been known to affect materno-foetal outcomes.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of hospital records for all patients with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy who underwent a caesarean section between January 1st, 2021, and December 31st, 2022. We gathered data on their demographic characteristics, type of hypertensive disorder, the anaesthetic technique used, and maternal and foetal outcomes.

Results:

Ninety-eight patients who had a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy were delivered by caesarean section. Eighty-eight (89.8%) patients had a subarachnoid block, 8 (8.2%) had general anaesthesia and 2 (2.0%) had epidural anaesthesia. One (1.1%), 5 (62.5%), and none of the patients who had a subarachnoid block, general anaesthesia, and epidural anaesthesia respectively required intensive care. Seventy-six babies (86.4%) delivered under the subarachnoid block, 1 (12.5%) delivered under general anaesthesia, and 2 (100%) under epidural anaesthesia had normal APGAR scores. There was a significant difference between the anaesthetic techniques and neonatal outcomes (p < 0.001), as well as between the anaesthetic technique and maternal outcomes (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The choice of anaesthesia for caesarean deliveries in women with hypertensive disorders significantly influences maternal and neonatal outcomes.

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