A Pilot study on Perinatal outcome in elective repeat cesarean delivery at 38 Weeks following course of dexamethasone.

Dr. V. Rajeevi; Dr. A. Padmaja

Volume : X, Issue : II, February - 2020

A Pilot study on Perinatal outcome in elective repeat cesarean delivery at 38 Weeks following course of dexamethasone.

Dr. V. Rajeevi, Dr. A. Padmaja

Abstract :

Introduction: British and American societies in obstetrics recommend elective cesarean section to be scheduled after 39 completed weeks of gestation1&2. However, approximately 16.5% of women, go into labor during the 38th gestational week, which then requires an emergency cesarean before the scheduled date, giving rise to increased maternal and fetal morbidity6. Planning cesarean sections at 38 weeks would, therefore, enable these complications to be reduced, albeit at the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN)7. Materials and Method : This is a retrospective study in which data were collected from the records during two months(June and July 2019). Data from 25 women in each group were collected. The primary outcome was the rate of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress. Result: 1 baby(4%) from each group was admitted in NICU for respiratory distress.No significant difference were found in the incidence of neonatal sepsis, and neonatal intensive care unit stays between the two groups. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that planning an elective repeat cesarean delivery at 38 weeks gestational age with prior steroid dose prevents complications of emergency cesarean delivery and other complications like uterine rupture,fetal distress.