Summary

Background and objective: For many, the administration of additional oxygen to the women receiving regional anaesthesia for Caesarean section is traditional, but for others it is controversial because of doubts about its efficacy. The aim of our study was to determine if beneficial effects of maternal oxygen therapy on the fetus could be revealed using a neonatal behavioural scoring system. Methods: Sixty women with a normal singleton pregnancy beyond 36 weeks gestation, undergoing elective Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were randomized into two groups: Group 1 received air and oxygen mixture through a Hudson style face mask (FiO2 of 0.21–0.25). Group 2 received FiO2 of 0.40–0.60 through an identical Hudson style face mask. Neurologic Adaptive Capacity Score on all the infants within 5 min of birth and between 10 and 24 h after the Caesarean delivery was performed. Apgar score, umbilical venous blood oxygen tension and umbilical artery standardized base excess were recorded. Results: Initial Neurologic Adaptive Capacity Scores at birth in Groups 1 and 2 were 32.6 (SD 4.6) and 31.3 (SD 4.3), respectively. Latter scores were 36.0 (SD 3.0) and 36.5 (SD 1.9), respectively. Neither were statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the groups for any of the recorded variables. Conclusions: Administering maternal oxygen using a standard commercial Hudson style face mask does not appear to significantly improve oxygen delivery to, nor does it influence acidosis or behavioural effects in, the normal neonate at elective Caesarean delivery with spinal anaesthesia.