PurposeThis study aimed to assess whether different anesthetic techniques and oxytocin use applied during delivery affect transcutaneous bilirubin levels during the first 24 hours in neonates.MethodsA total of 1,044 neonates delivered by either caesarian section (C/S) or normal vaginal delivery (NVD) were included in the study. They were classified into 5 groups as follows: group 1: born by C/S using general anesthesia, group 2: C/S using spinal anaesthesia, group 3: C/S using general anesthesia after failed spinal block, group 4: by NVD without anesthesia, and group 5: oxytocin-induced vaginal delivery without anesthesia. Transcutaneous total bilirubin levels (TBLs) were measured during the first 24 hours and on the fifth and eighth days of life and the levels in different groups were compared.ResultsThe TBLs were significantly higher in neonates delivered by C/S using general anesthesia rather than spinal anesthesia (P<0.001), and both groups had higher levels than those born by NVD without anesthesia (P≤0.001). However, the group receiving general anesthesia after failed spinal block was found to have the highest bilirubin level. Moreover, TBLs were significantly higher with the use of oxytocin (P≤0.001).ConclusionsC/S and general anesthesia adversely affect the bilirubin levels in neonates, and the use of oxytocin during vaginal delivery also increases TBLs in neonates.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.