Factors associated with delayed onset of regular respiration

In a population of 16333 singleton births born in one week of April, 1970, 4.4% failed to establish regular respiration within 3 min of birth. A follow-up at 5 years of age collected medical, educational and sociological information on 79.6% of the survivors of the cohort identified by the birth survey. Data have been analysed to investigate the relationships between the delay in the onset of regular respiration and possible risk factors identifiable prior to or at the time of birth. Complex statistical analysis employing linear modelling techniques showed that the delay in the onset of respiration was primarily related to: null and high parity; antepartum haemorrhage (especially placenta praevia); pre-eclampsia; breech delivery; Caesarian section and low birthweight. There was no association with maternal smoking during pregnancy or with social class. These conclusions are reasonably consistent with those drawn from other studies using alternative measures of asphyxia.