Premedication with midazolam prior to caesarean section has no neonatal adverse effects

Abstract

Like all surgical patients, obstetric patients also feel operative stress and anxiety. This can be prevented by giving patients detailed information about their operation and with preoperative pharmacological medications. Because of depressive effects of sedatives on newborns, pharmacological medications are omitted, especially in obstetric patients. The literature contains few studies concerning preoperative midazolam use in Caesarian section (C/S) patients. Our aim in this study was to help patients undergoing C/S surgery. One group scheduled for elective C/S received midazolam 0.025 mg kg(-1) intravenously, the other received saline. Maternal anxiety was evaluated using Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) scores, and newborns were evaluated using Apgar and the Neonatal Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Score (NACS). In conclusion, patients receiving midazolam 0.025 mg kg(-1) as premedication had significantly low anxiety scores, without any adverse effects on the newborns. Midazolam can therefore safely be used as a premedicative agent in C/S surgery.

Keywords: Cesarean section; Midazolam; Newborn; Premedication.