Intrapartum epidural analgesia and low Apgar score among singleton infants born at term: A propensity score matched study

Introduction: The associations of epidural analgesia and low Apgar score found in the Swedish Registry might be a result of confounding by indication. The objective of this study was to assess the possible effect of intrapartum epidural analgesia on low Apgar score and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission in term born singletons with propensity score matching. Material and methods: This was a propensity score matched study (n = 257 872) conducted in a national cohort of 715 449 term live born singletons without congenital anomalies in the Netherlands. Mothers with prelabor cesarean section were excluded. Main outcome measures were 5-minute Apgar score