Time-dependent placental transfer of sevoflurane during cesarean delivery under general anesthesia: a prospective observational study
Authors' conclusion
Induction-to-delivery time was strongly associated with fetal sevoflurane exposure. End-tidal monitoring reflects maternal anesthetic depth but does not predict fetal drug levels.
Study context
- Population
- Women undergoing elective cesarean delivery under GA with sevoflurane
- Participants
- 16 women
- Outcome
- Correlation between induction-to-delivery time and feto-maternal ratio of sevoflurane
- Follow-up
- At delivery
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Induction-to-delivery time vs feto-maternal ratio
- Mean induction-to-delivery time (min), ± SD, range 1.5-5.3
- 3.3 ± 1.1
- Mean feto-maternal ratio, ± SD
- 0.2 ± 0.16
- Induction-to-delivery time correlated with feto-maternal ratio
- P < 0.001
- Increase in fetal exposure per additional minute
- 52%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Prediction of fetal blood concentrations
- Neither end-tidal concentration nor maternal blood sevoflurane levels predicted fetal blood concentrations
Safety
Neonatal outcomes vs fetal sevoflurane concentration (exploratory)
- Correlation with Apgar scores (r), P = 0.830
- −0.06
- Correlation with umbilical pH (r), P = 0.110
- 0.41
- All neonates Apgar score ≥8 at 10 min; no acidosis
- Exploratory analysis
Original publication
Time-dependent placental transfer of sevoflurane during cesarean delivery under general anesthesia: a prospective observational study. Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 30 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →