Abstract
Background:
Elective caesarean section is an operative procedure, which is done at an arranged time prior to the expected date of delivery and before the onset of labor. Gestational age at which the elective caesarean section will be done plays a vital role in neonatal respiratory outcome.
Objectives:
To evaluate the neonatal outcome in booked cesarean sections at 38 and ≥39 gestational weeks in low-risk pregnant women.
Methods:
This is a prospective clinical study done on 400 pregnant women who underwent elective caesarean section from June 2019 to February 2020. Group (1) with gestational age 38 -38weeks+6 days and Group ( 2) with gestational age 39-39 weeks+6days. The neonates were assessed in terms of; respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), need to be admitted at NICU, birth weight and Apgar score at the first and fifth minute.
Results:
Neonatal birth weight and Apgar score at minute one were significantly higher in neonates born at ≥39 gestational weeks but NICU admission was significantly lesser in comparison with neonates born between 38–39 gestational weeks. No statistic differences were established in neonates of both groups in the incidence of Transient tachypnea of new born (TTN ) or Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) .
Conclusion:
Elective CS at ≥ 39 weeks' gestation is associated with a lesser rate of NICU admission and more good neonatal birth weight and Apgar score at one minute than neonate born by elective CS between 38-39 gestational weeks.