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Cesarean section and the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics volume 300, pages 503–517 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the association between cesarean section (CS) and the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov database for studies related to the association between CS and the risk of neonatal RDS up to 25 August 2018. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random-effects model (REM).

Results

A total of 26 studies from 25 available articles were included in this meta-analysis. For the association between CS and the risk of neonatal RDS, the pooled OR was 1.76 (95% CI 1.48–2.09). The pooled OR of the risk of neonatal RDS was 2.38 (95% CI 1.89–2.99) for elective CS and 1.85 (95% CI 1.34–2.56) for emergency CS.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggested that CS, elective CS, and emergency CS were associated with an increased risk of neonatal RDS.

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Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, The College of Public Health of Qingdao University, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao, 266021, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Yan Li, Caixia Zhang & Dongfeng Zhang

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  1. Yan Li
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  2. Caixia Zhang
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  3. Dongfeng Zhang
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Contributions

YL: conceived the study, designed the study, drafted the manuscript, carried out the literature search and data extraction, interpreted the result of the analysis, and reviewed and revised the manuscript critically. CZ: carried out the literature search and data extraction, interpreted the result of the analysis, and reviewed and revised the manuscript critically. DZ: conceived the study, designed the study, drafted the manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript critically. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dongfeng Zhang.

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Li, Y., Zhang, C. & Zhang, D. Cesarean section and the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 300, 503–517 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05208-7

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