Comparative analysis of neonatal morbidity for vaginal and caesarean section deliveries using hospital charge.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the neonatal morbidity of alternative modes of delivery using economic data.


METHODS
Two groups of neonatal morbidity data were extracted according to mode of delivery from inpatient claims on National Health Insurance in Taiwan: uncomplicated vaginal and caesarean section deliveries. Outcome variables included number of infants treated as inpatients, duration of hospital stay, and hospital charge during both the first month and the first year of age.


RESULTS
Uncomplicated caesarean section delivery of term infants carried a significant increase either in the first month of life or during the first year after birth in both duration of hospital stay and hospital discharge when compared with uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Neonatal jaundice accounted for the greatest morbidity among term newborns, irrespective of delivery mode, followed by infectious, gastrointestinal and respiratory morbidity. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that uncomplicated vaginal delivery was associated with skin diseases. Uncomplicated caesarean section delivery was associated with infectious disease and disease of the respiratory, digestive and circulatory systems.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study may provide further information for clinicians and would be an important consideration when advising pregnant women on the preferred route of delivery.
Chang
Jui-Hsing
JH
Department of Paediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hsu
Chin-Yuan
CY
Lo
Joan C
JC
Chen
Chie-Pein
CP
Huang
Fu-Yuan
FY
Yu
Suchuan
S
D001719:Birth Certificates; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology