Fetal mortality in cesarean section

Abstract

A REDUCTION in maternal morbidity and mortality associated with cesarean section has been evident during the recent five-year period. This has been primarily related to the development of more satisfactory surgical techniques, rapid blood replacement, and the use of antibiotics.*, 2 Because of the improved maternal results associated with the operation, an expansion in the indications for the procedure has occurred particularly during the past three years3 in an attempt to reduce fetal mortality. It is the purpose of this presentation to evaluate fetal deaths at the New York Lying-In Hospital following cesarean section during the period 1933 to 1949, inclusive. The causes of fetal death, the indications for the operation, the condition of the fetus prior to and after the operation will be elaborated. In this study, all sections are included in which the infant weighed 1,500 grams or over, regardless of the duration of the pregnancy. The premature group comprises the infants from 1,500 grams to 2,499 grams, and full-term infants include all of 2,500 grams and over. The infant mortality represents all dead births, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths. Stillborn are those with cardiac sounds at birth without respirations. Neonatal deaths include all deaths of infants prior to the fifteenth day of life.