Study: C-sections + Preterm babies = Respiratory Distress Syndrome
From the archive. This post was first published on the original Green Eggs and Moms blog and is kept here as it was.
A research finds that preterm babies delivered via cesarean or c-section have a higher chance of developing respiratory distress syndrome (RSD).
Respiratory distr…..what?
Respiratory distress syndrome is a condition that mostly affects preemies. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, it is a breathing disorder that may prevent a baby from getting enough oxygen to the brain. (To learn more about RSD, click on the link.)
Before we scare anyone, RSD can be detected within the first few hours after birth. It is then treated to prevent brain damage caused by lack of oxygen.
The Study
A research by Yale School of Medicine looked at birth certificates and hospital discharge documents of 2,885 preterm babies who were considered small for their (gestational or fetal) age. The review was done over a period of 8 years.
The Takeaway
While cesarean or c-section deliveries save lives, the downside is it is linked to respiratory distress syndrome.
Oh, and this was not written to discourage cesarean deliveries.
The value here is to bring awareness to the correlation between the method of delivery and respiratory distress syndrome to better equip parents.
So, do you know anyone who’s nearing her due date? It’s still the month of love, do her a favor by sending this her way.
What do you think of the study?
Photo:Creative Commons from hacky