According to a new study released by the National Center for Health Statistics (a part of the Center for Disease Control) there is a higher risk of infant death for those babies born via caesarean section when there is no medical need for it.

Caesarean sections are increasing being performed on woman who have no medical need for the such a delivery, however, they have opted to have the procedure. According to the study c-sections currently account for 20.6 percent of first time births, up from 14.6 percent in 1996. So while c-sections performed for medical necessary reasons continue to save the lives of both mother and child there has been a rise in infant mortality when the procedure is performed as an elective procedures.

What researchers found in this study was that babies born by c-section, with no noted medical necessity for the procedure, had a risk of death in the first 28 days of life of 1.77 out of 1000 births. Compared with a risk if death among those babies born vaginally of 0.62 out of 1000 births. Although the difference it not significant it is enough of a difference to warrant further investigation.

Researchers are still trying to determine what the cause behind the increased mortality rate is. They are looking into the possibility that the procedure itself may have some impact but much more research is necessary before any final determination can be made. So research will continue until the medical community can determine what is behind these numbers.

It would appear from this research that women should avoid opting for a caesarean section when there is no medical necessity. At the very least women who are considering this option should be sure that they are aware of all the risks involved, and discuss the pros and cons with their doctor prior to making a decision.

(source: MSNBC)

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