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
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 September 2005 (online)

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.

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Arieh RiskinM.D. 

Department of Neonatology, Bnai Zion Medical Center

47 Golomb Street, P.O.B. 4940

Haifa, 31048, Israel