eMedicineLive

Doctors have always believed that cesarean section is the safer option to deliver preterm babies. According to the latest data available, compared to an incidence of 35.1 % for cesarean section in babies born at term, the incidence of cesarean section climbs up to almost 45.6% in case of preterm babies. This is because the doctors believe that a vaginal delivery may be too traumatic for an underweight premature baby and may lead to internal hemorrhages. On the other hand, a C-section is considered to be protective.

 

However, a recent study which would be presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal- Fetal Medicine in Dallas, has found that cesarean section may be associated with a higher incidence of respiratory problems in premature infants. For the study, the researchers analyzed the birth data of 2,560 babies born preterm (between 25 and 34 weeks of pregnancy) between the periods of 1995 to 2003. It was seen that C-section was done for delivering 54% of such babies whereas 46% of these preterm babies were born vaginally.

 

The researchers noticed that the incidence of brain hemorrhage, seizures and sepsis was the same in all the babies irrespective of whether they were born through C-section or vaginally. However, the rate of respiratory problems was significantly higher in premature babies born through C-section. The difference persisted even after adjusting other confounding factors like maternal age, pre-pregnancy weight, diseases like hypertension and diabetes, etc.

 

According to the researchers, the respiratory problems faced by the preemies born through C-section may lead to further problems as the child grows. It may lead to asthma later on. Both the brain and the lungs develop at a rapid pace in the last few weeks of pregnancy. If the baby is taken out early by means of C-section, it may also lead to developmental problems like cerebral palsy or learning disabilities. Therefore, it has been advised that the pregnancy should be allowed to continue for up to 40 weeks unless there is a clear indication of danger to maternal or fetal health.

 

References:

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