Abstract
Introduction: Elective cesarean section is associated with several damages to the newborn's health, such as respiratory and gastrointestinal problems and diabetes that last throughout life. However, few studies discuss aspects related to psychological development.
 Objective: To investigate the development of Brazilian children according to the type of birth and gestational age in the cognitive, language, motor, socio-emotional and adaptive behavior domains.
 Methods: This is an exploratory and descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the city of São Bernardo de Campo, São Paulo, Brazil, between June 2016 and March 2017. The final sample consisted of 263 children up to 42 months of age. For data collection were applied a socio demographic questionnaire and the Bayley-III Scale. The statistical analysis was based on both a North American reference sample and a local sample using the SPSS version 21, through Pearson's Chi-square statistical test and significance criteria p <0.05.
 Results: A significant difference (p<0.005) was observed, with a higher risk of problems in fine motor development and expressive language in children born at pre-term between 37- 39 weeks compared to those born at term between 39 - 41 weeks. Significant difference (p<0.005) was also observed in sensory processing and adaptive behavior, with greater impairment in children born via elective cesarean section compared to those born vaginally.
 Conclusion: Despite its limitations and discrepancies, this research indicates potential impairments in the psychological development of children born at early term via elective cesarean.
Highlights
Elective cesarean section is associated with several damages to the newborn’s health, such as respiratory, gastrointestinal problems and diabetes that last throughout life
Despite its limitations and discrepancies, this research indicates potential impairments in the psychological development of children born at early term via elective cesarean
In several countries around the world, cesarean section rates are significantly higher than those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) that states there is no justification for rates above 15%1
Summary
Elective cesarean section is associated with several damages to the newborn’s health, such as respiratory, gastrointestinal problems and diabetes that last throughout life. Only 24% of women initially wanted surgical delivery, a rate of 52% of cesarean sections is reported, reaching 90% in private care, and about 50% were performed between the 37th and 38th gestational week. These data indicate the indiscriminate use of this procedure, generating negative consequences for both the mother and the newborn, even when performed after the 39th gestational week[3]. Among the known long-term effects, there is a higher risk of immunological diseases, a higher occurrence of metabolic syndrome, asthma, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, obesity[2] and a higher risk of hypertension in youth and adulthood[4]
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