title: Elective versus selective caesarean section for delivery of the small baby.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elective caesarean delivery for women in preterm labour might reduce the chances of fetal or neonatal death, but it might also increase the risk of maternal morbidity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review was to assess the effects of a policy of elective caesarean delivery versus selective caesarean delivery for women in preterm labour.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised trials comparing a policy of elective caesarean delivery with expectant management with recourse to caesarean section.
  
  
  METHODS
  One reviewer assessed eligibility and trial quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five studies involving 104 women were included. All trials reported recruiting difficulties. No significant differences between elective and selective policies for caesarean delivery were found for fetal, neonatal or maternal outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of a policy for elective caesarean delivery for small babies. Randomised trials in this area are likely to continue to experience recruitment problems. However it still may be possible to investigate elective caesarean delivery in preterm babies presenting cephalically.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Unit, The Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK, AB9 2ZD. a.grant@abdn.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy