ABSTRACT
We aimed to study, retrospectively, the neonatal outcome of 45 preterm neonates with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) who were delivered vaginally with intravenous meperidine (n = 23) or epidural analgesia (n = 22). Neonates in the epidural group had a better outcome in terms of a first-minute Apgar score of 7 or less, in 31% vs 69% (P = 0.001); 5-min Apgar score of 7 or less, in 18% vs 82% (P = 0.003); a lower incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; 23% vs 30%; P = 0.03); a lower dopamine requirement during the first neonatal week (13% vs 72%; P = 0.01); and a higher survival rate (91% vs 58%, respectively; P = 0.008). It is concluded that preterm neonates with IVH had a better outcome when delivered to mothers receiving epidural analgesia as compared to those receiving intravenous meperidine.
