Sensory Block Height and Risk of Maternal Fever in Epidural Labour Analgesia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Cohort studyJournal of pain research· 2026

Sensory Block Height and Risk of Maternal Fever in Epidural Labour Analgesia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Lili Tian, Xinchuan Wei, Rong Cao … Min Xie

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Obstetric AnesthesiaCohort studyClinical practiceQ2IF 2.9

Epidural block above T8 lasting over 135 minutes linked to higher maternal fever risk

Sensory Block Height and Risk of Maternal Fever in Epidural Labour Analgesia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Lili Tian … Min Xie

Journal of pain research · 2026 · Q2 in Anesthesiology

Background

Epidural anaesthesia is commonly utilized for pain relief during labour.

Purpose

This study aims to explore the correlation between the level of sensory blockade and the occurrence of epidural-related maternal fever.

Methods

This cohort study included primigravid women who received patient-controlled epidural analgesia (patient-controlled epidural analgesia).

n = 953 primigravid women

Results

135

minutes

block above T8 past that point raises fever risk

n = 953 primigravid women

More results

The study included a sample of 953 primigravid women, among whom an average of 29.8% (284/953) experienced intrapartum fever.

Factors influencing epidural-related maternal fever include the highest level of sensory blockade, duration of block level (above T8), and the meconium-stained amniotic fluid (meconium-stained amniotic fluid).

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

During epidural labour analgesia, the highest level of sensory block was significantly higher in febrile women than in nonfebrile women.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

When the maternal sensory block plane surpasses the innervation level of thoracic 8 and persists for longer than 135 minutes, the likelihood of maternal fever increased.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Therefore, maintaining the maternal sensory block plane below T8 may reduce fever.

Sensory Block Height and Risk of Maternal Fever in Epidural Labour Analgesia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Sensory Block Height and Risk of Maternal Fever in Epidural Labour Analgesia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

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