• Xi Meng, Jiangfeng Ye, Ping Qiao, Tai Ren, Qing Luo, Ling-Qun Hu, and Jun Zhang.
• From the Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
• Anesth. Analg. 2023 Nov 1; 137 (5): 104710551047-1055.

BackgroundThe use of labor neuraxial analgesia (NA) in China has increased significantly in the past decade, and the current rate of use is unknown. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of NA based on a large multicenter cross-sectional survey, the China Labor and Delivery Survey (CLDS) (2015-2016), and to evaluate the association between NA and intrapartum caesarean delivery (CD) and maternal and neonatal outcomes.MethodsThe CLDS was a facility-based cross-sectional investigation with a cluster random sampling scheme conducted from 2015 to 2016. A specific weight was assigned to each individual based on the sampling frame. Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the factors associated with the use of NA. A propensity score matching scheme was used to analyze the associations between NA and intrapartum CD and perinatal outcomes.ResultsA total of 51,488 vaginal deliveries or intrapartum CD were included in our study, excluding prelabor CDs. The weighted NA rate was 17.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.6-18.0) in this survey population. Nulliparous, previous CD, hypertensive disorders, and labor augmentation were associated with higher use of NA. In the propensity score-matched analysis, NA was associated with reduced risks of intrapartum CD, especially intrapartum CD by maternal request (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.60-0.78 and aOR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30-0.76, respectively), 3rd or 4th degree perineal laceration (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15-0.89), and 5-minute Apgar score ≤3 (aOR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03-0.66).ConclusionsThe use of NA may be associated with improved obstetric outcomes, including fewer intrapartum CD, less birth canal trauma, and better neonatal outcomes in China.Copyright © 2023 International Anesthesia Research Society.

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