NEONATAL OUTCOME USING KETAMINE AS A PRE SPINAL AGENT IN CAESAREAN SECTION - A CASE CONTROL HOSPITAL BASED STUDY.

Background: Ketamine is used mainly for induction and maintenance of anesthesia-producing dissociative anesthesia. Studies have shown that even with known cases of intrauterine asphyxia, excellent APGAR scores have been achieved in neonates. Objective: To study fetal outcomes using Ketamine as a pre-spinal agent in caesarian sections. Material and Methods: 80 full-term women who were undergoing caesarian section were divided into two groups A and B. A Group (receiving Ketamine) and B Group (receiving Placebo) by using a basic randomization technique of consecutive numbers--the prospective Randomized case-control trial. The patients falling into Odd sequencing numbers were categorized under A Group and received low dose Ketamine IV 0.25mg/kg diluted to 10ml with sterile water while even sequencing numbered were B Group and received placebo. At the delivery, APGAR scores of the newborn were assessed at 1st and 5th minutes and the time of onset of breastfeeding was also calculated. Results: APGAR scoring at 1st minute in the case and control group were 7.20 and 6.875, the t-test had a value < 0.05 which was significant. The 5th minute APGAR scoring on the other hand was 9 and 8.5 for cases and controls respectively which had a test value of <0.05 which was significant. The time of onset of breastfeeding in the case and control group were 98.125 min and 113.625 min respectively which had a considerable value <0.05. Conclusion: Ketamine given to the mother as a prespinal anesthetic does not show a significant improvement in the 1st and 5th minute APGAR scoring and ease of induction of breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]