[The effect of lumbar peridural anesthesia with catheter on the maternal and fetal acid-base status and the 1 minute apgar score (author's transl)].

Comparison of 650 deliveries with P.A. and of 928 deliveries without P.A. during the same period. PH from the umbilical artery and 1 minute Apgar score were studied in three groups of patients: 1.) All deliveries, 2.) Spontaneous vaginal deliveries without maternal or fetal risk, 3.) Operative vaginal deliveries. The only significant differences were found among the operative vaginal deliveries: The infants of the peridural group showed a higher incidence of pH-values above 7,2 than those of the non peridural group. Analysis of the maternal acid-base status showed less respiratory alcalosis and less metabolic acidosis in the peridural group. The neonates of this group showed a lower post partum metabolic acidosis than those in the non peridural group.