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Impact of elective caesarean section on neonatal retrieval in Western Australia during a 12-year period

Journal of Perinatology volume 39, pages 34–38 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective

To determine whether 2006 Australian national guidance to delay elective caesarean section until 39 weeks’ gestation would reduce the need for neonatal retrieval for respiratory compromise following elective caesarean.

Study design

This is a retrospective cohort study comparing infants born by elective caesarean section who required retrieval for respiratory distress in Western Australia before and after the national guidance (2003–2006 vs. 2008–2014).

Results

The proportion of infants born by elective caesarean section who required retrieval for respiratory distress was reduced in the later cohort (0.77% (153/19 780) vs. 0.55% (227/40 875); p = 0.0012). The diagnosis of surfactant-deficient lung disease amongst retrieved infants was also reduced (26% (40/153) vs. 17.4% (40/227); p = 0.04).

Conclusion

A reduction in the proportion of elective caesarean sections before 39 weeks in Western Australia was associated with a reduction in retrieval for respiratory compromise related to surfactant deficiency in infants born by elective caesarean section.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Perth Children’s and King Edward Memorial Hospitals, Perth, WA, Australia

    Kathryn J. Macallister, Lye W. Tho, Steven Resnick & Jonathan W. Davis

  2. Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

    Mathias Epee-Bekima

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

    Mathias Epee-Bekima

  4. Centre for Neonatal Research and Education, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

    Steven Resnick & Jonathan W. Davis

  5. Newborn Emergency Transport Service, Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

    Steven Resnick & Jonathan W. Davis

Authors
  1. Kathryn J. Macallister
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  2. Lye W. Tho
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  3. Mathias Epee-Bekima
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  4. Steven Resnick
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  5. Jonathan W. Davis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan W. Davis.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Macallister, K.J., Tho, L.W., Epee-Bekima, M. et al. Impact of elective caesarean section on neonatal retrieval in Western Australia during a 12-year period. J Perinatol 39, 34–38 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0263-z

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