Changes in indications for cesarean delivery: United States, 1985 and 1994.
OBJECTIVE
The percentages of cesarean deliveries attributable to specific indications (breech, dystocia, fetal distress, and elective repeat cesarean) were computed for 1985 and 1994.


METHODS
Data were derived from the 1985 and 1994 National Hospital Discharge Surveys.


RESULTS
Dystocia was the leading indication for cesarean delivery in both years. In comparison with 1985, cesareans performed in 1994 that were attributable to dystocia and breech presentation increased, those attributable to fetal distress did not change significantly, and elective repeat cesareans declined.


CONCLUSIONS
Studying indications for cesareans can be useful for hospitals, clinicians, and researchers in determining strategies to lower primary and repeat cesarean rates.
Gregory
K D
KD
Cedars-Sinai Research Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA.
Curtin
S C
SC
Taffel
S M
SM
Notzon
F C
FC
D001946:Breech Presentation; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D017604:Cesarean Section, Repeat / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D004420:Dystocia / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009309:National Center for Health Statistics, U.S.; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States