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Am J Perinatol 2005; 22(7): 377-382
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-872594
Copyright © 2005 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cesarean Section, Gestational Age, and Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn: Timing Is the Key

Arieh Riskin1 , 3 , Marta Abend-Weinger1 , 3 , Shlomit Riskin-Mashiah2 , 3 , Amir Kugelman1 , 3 , David Bader1 , 3
  • 1Department of Neonatology, Bnai Zion Medical Center
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carmel Lady Davis Medical Center
  • 3The B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 September 2005 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors and to characterize infants with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). A total of 67 newborns with TTN, born at gestational age (GA) ≥ 35 weeks, were studied. Newborns delivered before and after each study case served as controls. Mean GA was lower and cesarean section (CS) rate was higher in the TTN group (38.2 ± 2.3 versus 39.5 ± 1.4 weeks, p < 0.001; 50.7% versus 22.4%, p < 0.001). GA < 38 weeks was found to be associated with increased risk for TTN in infants delivered by elective CS. TTN was associated with significant morbidities and longer hospital stay (7.2 ± 5.6 versus 2.9 ± 1.4 days; p < 0.001). Delivery by CS and younger GA are risk factors for TTN. Although TTN is a self-limited disease, it is associated with significant morbidities. Scheduling elective CS at GA of not less than 38 weeks may decrease the frequency of TTN.

KEYWORDS

Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) - cesarean section (CS) - gestational age (GA)

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Arieh RiskinM.D. 

Department of Neonatology, Bnai Zion Medical Center

47 Golomb Street, P.O.B. 4940

Haifa, 31048, Israel