Effect of Preemptive Epidural Analgesia in Labor on Cytokine Production

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2006-07-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Female

Summary

During labor there is an increased production of inflammatory mediators called cytokines. Higher concentration of certain cytokines has been linked to adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes.

Epidural analgesia is commonly performed after the parturient feels labor pain.

We hypothesis that preemptive epidural analgesia (initiated before labor pain begins)can influence the production of cytokines.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Rabin Medical Center

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age>18

2. Singleton pregnancy with no known fetal malformations

3. Above or equal to 38 weeks of pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Systemic medical illnesses

2. Chronic medications except for iron and vitamins

3. Women developing fever > 380C

4. Women with history of delivery of children with cerebral palsy

5. History of infertility

6. Premature contractions