title: Fetal sex as a risk factor for fetal distress leading to abdominal delivery.
abstract: A retrospective analysis of perinatal information of 7,924 confinements in the calendar year of 1994 was performed to determine whether fetal sex was a significant risk factor for fetal distress in labour leading to abdominal delivery. The sex of the fetus (male) was a significant, independent, risk factor for Caesarean section (odds ratio = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.50). This increase was wholly attributable to the increased risk of having fetal distress in labour (odds ratio = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.32 to 2.34). Male fetuses are at higher risk of developing fetal distress during labour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors