In Asia, Cesarean Section Associated with Increased Risk of Neonatal Mortality (Digests) (Report‪)‬

In Asia, women who give birth via cesarean section may be at an increased risk for negative health consequences. (1) According to an observational study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in nine Asian countries, women who undergo an unplanned cesarean section before or during labor or who have an assisted (operative) vaginal delivery are more likely than those who have a spontaneous vaginal delivery to experience morbidity. Furthermore, infants born by assisted vaginal delivery or a medically indicated cesarean section have about twice the odds of dying during delivery, spending at least seven days in intensive care or both than do those born without surgical aid (odds ratios, 1.9-2.1). Women who have elective cesarean deliveries before going into labor are more likely than those with spontaneous vaginal deliveries to require admission to the intensive care unit (9.9). For infants with a breech presentation, however, cesarean delivery is associated with reduced neonatal mortality. Cesarean section is often perceived to be safer than vaginal delivery for mothers and their infants, and thus has become increasingly common around the globe. However, research shows that the procedure may actually be detrimental to maternal and infant health, while consuming valuable resources, especially in poorer countries.