Recent Anesthetic Effects on Fetus & Newborn

Abstract

It is estimated that 1 to 2% of all pregnant women will undergo nonobstetric surgery during gestation, unlike the other major organs and structures of the fetus, which form in the first few weeks of gestation; the brain continues to develop throughout gestation and after birth. Enduring change in behavior without obvious structural abnormalities has been termed behavioral teratogenicity. Patients presenting for surgery during the course of pregnancy carry a number of important challenges for anesthesiologists. Optimum management requires a thorough understanding of maternal and fetal physiology, altered drug pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, and a sensitive approach to the parturient, which must be counseled carefully about the risks and benefits of intervention. The ultimate goal is to provide safe anesthesia to the mother while simultaneously minimizing the risk of preterm labor or fetal demise.Multidisciplinary input from surgeons, anesthesiologists, and obstetricians is essential to ensure fetal and maternal wellbeing throughout the perioperative period. A successful maternal and fetal outcome is dependent on expert management of both the surgical disease process and anesthesia.