Caesarean delivery and outcome in very low birthweight infants.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between mode of delivery, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), and mortality in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants.

STUDY

DESIGN

A historical cohort study of infants admitted to a single level III neonatal intensive care unit during a five-year period. Infants < 1500 g born by caesarean delivery (n = 400) were compared to those born by vaginal delivery (n = 305).

RESULTS

After controlling for potential confounding variables including: gestational age, fetal presentation, and multiple birth, caesarean delivery was not associated with a decreased odds of IVH (odds ratio 1.2, 95% CI 0.7-2.0), severe IVH (1.9, 0.9-4.0), or mortality (1.2, 0.6-2.4).

CONCLUSIONS

In our population of very low birthweight infants, caesarean delivery is not associated with a decreased risk for mortality or intraventricular haemorrhage.