Emergency caesarean section: risk factors for adverse neonatal outcome

Primary aim of the study was to identify risk factors for an adverse neonatal outcome in emergency caesarean deliveries (ECD). Secondary, the influence of the decision-to-delivery interval (DDI) on neonatal outcome was evaluated.

Study period of this retrospective investigation was 2001-2011, in which 336 ECD were evaluated. Main outcome measures were risk factors associated with an adverse neonatal outcome (umbilical cord arterial pH < 7.05, umbilical cord arterial base excess (BE) < -12, Apgar score at 5 min <5 and the combination of umbilical cord arterial pH < 7.0, and umbilical cord arterial BE < -12). Secondary, the influence of the DDI on neonatal outcome was assessed. These parameters were tested in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Prematurity (<37 + 0 weeks of gestation) and silent cardiotocography (CTG) were identified as the major risk factors for an adverse neonatal outcome. Statistical analyses of the influence of the DDI on umbilical cord arterial pH and BE as well as the Apgar score at 5 min revealed no significant results.

Our results emphasize the necessity of attendance in a level-3 department of obstetrics in case of conceivable compromised neonatal conditions. Prematurity and silent CTG were identified as the major risk factors for an adverse neonatal outcome. As long as the DDI is under 20 min, it did not have an impact on neonatal outcome.