[Neonatal consequences of cesarean section on the presumably healthy infant]

The authors studied the effects on the child of 196 caesarian sections performed in the absence of foetal distress. The following were noted for each child: the time before the first cry, the Apgar score, pH and the need or not for resuscitation techniques. Each feature was studied in terms of different factors: foetal, obstetric, anaesthetic and surgical. The conclusions were as follows: caesarian section, which remains the best means of preventing obstetric trauma, has its own direct complications which are linked to the conditions in which the operation takes place. These can be reduced to a minimum or even completely suppressed if the caesarian section is performed under ideal conditions: few or no depressant drugs before the operation (the use of diazepam for induction should be abandoned); inclined position of 15 degrees, even of the mother has never suffered from utero-caval syndrome and if possible on a heated mattress; extraction of the infant between the 5th and 15th minutes; finally, and above all, prior labour is desirable whenever obstetric conditions permit.