Risk factors for re-hospitalization following cesarean delivery at term

To identify the key risk factors contributing to re-hospitalization after term cesarean delivery (CD).

This retrospective cohort study included women who underwent CD at term at a university-affiliated tertiary medical center (January 2021 to March 2023). The primary outcome was risk factors for re-hospitalization within 30 days post-discharge. Data on selected maternal demographic, pregnancy-related and delivery variables were extracted from electronic medical records. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors for re-hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for various independent risk factors.

A total of 2878 women were included in the study, of whom 76 required re-hospitalization (2.6%). The rates of high-risk pregnancies were more prevalent among those who were re-hospitalized (41 [62.1%] vs. 1148 [49.1%], P = 0.043). Furthermore, the rates of emergency CDs (42 [56%] vs. 1040 [37.8%], P = 0.001), prolonged surgery duration (17 [22.4%] vs. 292 [10.4%], P = 0.001) and hospitalization duration (14 (18.4%) vs. 273 (9.7%), P = 0.015) were significantly higher in the re-hospitalized group. Emergency CD (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.06-3.42, P = 0.030) and prolonged surgery duration (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.25-4.77, P = 0.016) remained significant risk factors of re-hospitalization in the multivariate analysis.

The need for emergency CD and prolonged surgery duration were found as independent risk factors for re-hospitalization after CD at term.