MODE OF DELIVERY AND ITS IMPACT ON NEONATAL OUTCOMES IN PRETERM INFANTS

Abstract BACKGROUND The optimal mode of delivery for preterm infants remains controversial, and routine Caesarean sections (C/S) are not recommended, except for maternal indications. Nonetheless, many preterm infants are delivered by C/S, particularly those in breech presentation, and recent retrospective data have suggested that these infants may have improved outcomes. OBJECTIVES To examine whether C/S as the mode of preterm delivery is associated with decreased mortality and improved short term outcomes. DESIGN/METHODS This retrospective, population-based cohort study examined infants with a gestational age between 23 0/7 weeks and 32 6/7 weeks, born between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2016, and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a single Canadian Tertiary Care hospital. Infants with major congenital anomalies were excluded. Data were abstracted from the local Neonatal-Perinatal database for all infants. Two groups, those delivered vaginally and those delivered by C/S, were compared for major neonatal outcomes including the primary outcomes of death and severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), defined as grade 3 or higher. RESULTS A total of 1442 infants met inclusion criteria (784 born by C/S and 658 vaginally). There was no significant difference in neonatal mortality (7.0% vs 7.1%, p=0.925) or severe IVH (6.1% vs 7.4%, p=0.317). There was, however, a significant difference in the incidence of IVH, any grade (19.9% vs 27.5%, p=0.001), which remained after controlling for other significant predictors. There were no other significant differences in the secondary outcomes examined including need for extensive resuscitation, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, periventricular leukomalacia, or retinopathy of prematurity. CONCLUSION Caesarean section was not associated with decreased mortality in preterm infants, relative to vaginal births. Caesarean section was associated with a reduced rate of IVH (any grade) and there was a trend towards decreased severe IVH which may warrant further study.