Neurology and behaviour of newborn infants delivered by vacuum extraction on maternal indication.

23 full-term neonates delivered by vacuum extraction (VE) on maternal indication (primary or secondary uterine inertia) but with no sign of fetal asphyxia and a control group of 16 infants were studied. The infants were examined on the 1st and 5th days after birth with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale and by a standardized neurological examination. On day 1 the VE-infants showed lower visual and auditory responsiveness in the behavioural assessment, and fewer optimal responses in the neurological examination than did the controls. Obstetrical factors such as abnormal presentation, long duration of the second stage of labour, and long duration of VE (greater than or equal to 15 minutes) may explain the differences. The differences between the groups had largely disappeared by day 5.