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

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.