The respiratory consequences of early-term birth and delivery by caesarean sections

SummaryIn England and Wales, 19% of live births in 2012 were at 37-38 weeks’ gestation, equating to nearly 140 000 early-term births each year. Since caesarean sections (CS) are often performed at early-term gestations, this accounts for some of the increased proportion of the early-term births. Infants born early-term are at an increased risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity particularly if they are delivered by caesarean section. The long term lung function data are limited but available data suggest that early-term delivery is associated with respiratory morbidity in childhood. CS also appears to be associated with increased neonatal morbidity and future development of respiratory symptoms. However, future studies need to confirm the independent effects of caesarean sections and early-term deliveries particularly for long term outcomes as both are likely to affect the respiratory system differently.