Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Ephedrine and Phenylephrine on Neonatal Umbilical Cord Blood Gases

<i>Background</i>: Ephedrine has commonly been regarded as the vasopressor of choice for treatment of hypotension in obstetrics, but there are concerns it causes neonatal acidosis.While some authors have recommended phenylephrine because it has not been associated with neonatal acidosis, others have found no difference between the two. <i>Objective</i>: To compare umbilical cord blood gases in neonates of parturients who received ephedrine and phenylephrine for prevention of maternal hypotension following subarachnoid block for caesarean section. <i>Methods</i>: Sixty-two neonates whose mothers received either ephedrine (group E) or phenylephrine (group P) during elective caesarean section were randomized in this double blind study into two groups each of 31.Umbilical arterial blood sample was collected and analysed immediately following delivery using an ABGmachine. <i>Results</i>: The mean umbilical artery pH was 7.30±0.05 and 7.31±0.02 for groups E and P respectively (p value=0.097). The mean PaCO<sub>2</sub> (mmHg) was 44.44±4.01 and 46±3.95 for groups E and P respectively (p value=0.208). while the mean PaO<sub>2</sub> (mmHg) was 25.85±3.14 and 27.40±1.76 for groups E and P respectively (p value=0.075). The mean HCO<sub>3</sub>-(mmHg) between the groups were 22.53±1.76 and 22.18±1.21 for groups E and P respectively (p value=0.205). Also, the mean base excess in groups E and P were -3.72±0.90 and -3.05±1.1 respectively (p value=0.054). There was no difference in the Apgar scores and maternal haemodynamic parameters in both groups. <i>Conclusion</i>:There was no difference in the umbilical cord gases and Apgar scores of neonates whose mothers received either ephedrine or phenylephrine.