Sarcouncil Journal of Medical Series

Abstract: ECS is one of the frequently used methods of birth, but its relative effect on the newborn outcomes, especially on respiratory morbidity and adjustment illnesses, still needs further consideration. It was a comparative study conducted to determine a series of short-term neonatal outcomes between infants delivered through elective cesarean section and through a vaginal delivery plan, especially on respiratory morbidity, adaptation to metabolism, and traumatic injury. The study was a cross-sectional study that was carried out on 115 neonates: 50 born through the elective CS and 65 born through a planned vaginal delivery. The outcomes measured were neonatal respiratory primary morbidity (transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress), metabolic and adaptation disorders (hypoglycemia, hypothermia), traumatic injuries, NICU hospitalization, and the length of stay. In addition, the incidence of respiratory morbidity in neonates born by elective CS was much greater than that in the planned vaginal group: 18.0% vs. 4.6% in TTN and 22.0% vs. 6.2 in any respiratory support requirement. The independent risk factors of respiratory morbidity were elective CS (aOR=4.1, 95% CI 1.3-12.9). On the other hand, any birth trauma was higher in the planned vaginal (9.2% vs. 0.0%). The composite morbidity rates did not differ, whereas the length of stay in the hospital was shorter in the elective CS group (5.2 1.5 days vs. 3.1 1.8 days). Moreover, elective cesarean section is linked to a considerably higher risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity, especially TTN and decreased length of stay, than planned vaginal birth. Nevertheless, premeditated vaginal birth is more likely to be associated with minor birth trauma.