Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is debate as to whether pediatricians should be present at all cesarean deliveries. Little published data exist regarding the differences in resuscitative needs of infants delivered by cesarean section for “fetal distress” versus those without this diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the differences in resuscitative and immediate postnatal intervention needs for neonates with fetal distress delivered by cesarean section and those without fetal distress delivered in the same manner. Also, to devise an evaluation tool to assess and compare levels of neonatal resuscitation between infants and groups of infants.
METHODS:
The delivery records of 1411 term infants delivered by cesarean section after uncomplicated pregnancies at Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center from March 3, 1995 through March 8, 1997 were examined retrospectively. Apgar scores and resuscitative needs were assigned to a newly devised, weighted scoring system. Resuscitation subscores and total resuscitation scores were compared using non-parametric methods.
RESULTS:
The fetal distress group (n = 80) had a significantly greater resuscitative needs mean score (p < 0.001) and subscores (p < 0.001 to p = 0.004) than did the non-fetal distress group (n = 419). Of the non-fetal distress group, 48.7% still received some active form of intervention.
CONCLUSION: In our study group, infants with fetal distress had significantly greater intervention needs than infants without fetal distress.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This paper was presented in part at the American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, November 1, 1997.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Posen, R., Friedlich, P., Chan, L. et al. Relationship Between Fetal Monitoring and Resuscitative Needs: Fetal Distress Versus Routine Cesarean Deliveries. J Perinatol 20, 101–104 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200316
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200316
This article is cited by
-
Cesarean section in a high-parity community in Saudi Arabia: clinical indications and obstetric outcomes
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2014)