Impact of antenatal oxytocin infusion on neonatal respiratory morbidity associated with elective cesarean section

Introduction This study was designed to estimate respiratory morbidity associated with elective cesarean section (ECS) and to determine the effect of antenatal oxytocin exposure on this morbidity. Material and methods Nine hundred and sixty-five neonates ≥ 37 weeks’ gestation delivered by cesarean section during 1 year were included in this retrospective study and classified into two groups according to oxytocin exposure before cesarean deliveries. Respiratory morbidity for each group was recorded and statistically analyzed. Results Transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN) was significantly more frequent in group II (ECS group) than in group I (cesarean section after oxytocin exposure) (8.19% vs. 2.92%; respectively, p = 0.0006). Mechanical ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oxygen therapy were significantly more frequent in group II than in group I (1.78%, 2.14% and 4.28% versus 0.44%, 0.58% and 1.46%, respectively; p = 0.039, and p = 0.033 and p = 0.009, respectively). The number of newborns admitted to the neonatal unit and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was significantly higher in group II than in group I (6.41% and 2.14% vs. 2.05% and 0.58%, respectively; p = 0.001 and p = 0.033, respectively). Surfactant, fluid therapies and parenteral nutrition were significantly more frequent in group II than in group I (2.14%, 4.28% and 2.49% vs. 0.15%, 1.46% and 0.73%, respectively; p = 0.001, p = 0.009 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusions Neonatal respiratory morbidity associated with ECS significantly decreased after antenatal oxytocin exposure. A significant reduction of neonatal respiratory morbidity would be achieved if ECS were performed after 39 weeks’ gestation.