Neonatal outcome following elective cesarean section beyond 37 weeks of gestation: a 7-year retrospective analysis of a national registry

Objective

We sought to evaluate number and timing of elective cesarean sections at term and to assess perinatal outcome associated with this timing.

Study Design

We conducted a recent retrospective cohort study including all elective cesarean sections of singleton pregnancies at term (n = 20,973) with neonatal follow-up. Primary outcome was defined as a composite of neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Results

More than half of the neonates were born at <39 weeks of gestation, and they were at significantly higher risk for the composite primary outcome than neonates born thereafter. The absolute risks were 20.6% and 12.5% for birth at <38 and 39 weeks, respectively, as compared to 9.5% for neonates born ≥39 weeks. The corresponding adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 2.4 (2.1–2.8) and 1.4 (1.2–1.5), respectively.

Conclusion

More than 50% of the elective cesarean sections are applied at <39 weeks, thus jeopardizing neonatal outcome.

Key words: cesarean section, elective, neonatal morbidity, neonatal outcome, timing