INCREASING CAESAREAN SECTION AND PERINATAL OUTCOME

An analysis of births by caesarean sections for ten years at a service hospital was carried out to identify the benefit in terms of reduction in perinatal mortality over the period without increase in maternal mortality and morbidity. An increase of 43.25 per cent in caesarean section rate was observed. Since 1986 there had been no significant change in the indications for caesarean sections or obstetrical care in terms of man and machine modernisation at this hospital. New born's care in this hospital is supervised by obstetrician and medical specialist. However, a definite reduction in perinatal mortality rate by 59.68 per cent was noted with no maternal mortality in caesarean cases. This retrospective study showed that the judicious increase of caesarean sections could improve perinatal outcome.