Early C-Sections associated with risk

The New York Times reports a study (Dr. Alan T.N. Tita at the University of Alabama) about Caesarean sections. Early C-sections (37 weeks) are associated with increased risks in several categories.

Researchers examined records of 24,077 Caesarean deliveries performed at term, 6.3% (n = 834) of which were performed at 37 weeks, 29.5% (n = 3909) at 38 weeks, 49.1% (n = 6512) at 39 weeks, 10.4% (n = 1385) at 40 weeks, and the rest (2.6%, n = 618) after 40 weeks.

Overall, 15.3% (n = 128) of babies delivered at 37 weeks had some type of complication, compared to 11% (n = 430) at 38 weeks, 8.0% (n = 524) at 39 weeks, and 7.3 % (n = 101) at 40 weeks. Complications include respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia, infections, or the need for neonatal ICU.

The study appears in the January 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.