Comparing Propofol with Sodium Thiopental on Neonatal Apgar Score after Elective Cesarean Section

Background : The Apgar score (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) of newborn babies immediately after birth is a determining factor involved with mortality of newborns after birth. Regarding the disagreement on advantages and possible disadvantages of propofol rather thiopental in the available references, the study was triggered with the aim of analyzing effects of two mentioned drugs on babies’ apgar score, mothers’ nausea, vomit and time necessary for mothers’ recovery.
Materials and Methods : In this double-blind clinical trial, a total of 230 healthy women who were volunteered to undertake cesarean operation were selected and then divided randomly into two equal groups using statistical blocking. One group was treated by propofol while other one was treated by thiopental. The prescribed drugs for both groups were identical except the anesthesia induction drug. Babies’ Apgar score 1 and 5 minutes after birth and recovery period, mothers’ nausea and vomiting after operation were recorded.
Results : Apgar score I minute 1 (p=0.041) and apgar score in minute 5 (p=0.034) for propofol group were meaningfully higher than those for thiopental group. Recovery time from anesthesia was not different meaningfully in two groups (p=0.67). Statistical analysis of nausea and vomit in both groups showed that they are lower in propofol group rather thiopental group (p=0.028).
Conclusion : It seems that in cesarean operations, after sufficient fluid therapy, propofol can be a proper drug to achieve anesthesia. Moreover it exerts less impact on cesarean babies’ apgar and stimulates lower levels of nausea and vomiting in mothers.