Immediate neonatal outcomes after elective induction of labor.
OBJECTIVE
To examine immediate neonatal outcomes associated with elective labor induction.


METHODS
Labor inductions occurring at > or = 38 weeks' gestation were examined during a 6-month period at 2 community hospitals. Medical records were reviewed by trained abstractors to determine the reason for induction (elective vs. medical) and maternal characteristics. The need for newborn resuscitation (1-minute Apgar score < 4) was the primary end point. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).


RESULTS
Of the 364 inductions, 54.9% were elective. The odds of a 1-minute Apgar score being < or = 3 were significantly greater when labor was induced for elective reasons than for medical reasons (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.1-27.9) or was spontaneous (OR 6.5, 95% CI 2.4-17.8), after controlling for mother's age, race and route of delivery. Elective induction was not associated with feal intolerance to labor, a low 5-minute Apgar score or need for admission to a special care nursery.


CONCLUSIONS
An elective abortion induction is an independent risk factor for delivery of an infant requiring immediate attention.
Beebe
Laura
L
Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA.
Beaty
Colene
C
Rayburn
William
W
D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007751:Labor, Induced; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012151:Resuscitation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors