title: Regional oxygen saturation of the brain during birth transition of term infants: comparison between elective cesarean and vaginal deliveries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate differences in regional oxygen saturation of the brains of term infants of vaginal or cesarean deliveries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vaginal delivery (n = 63) and elective cesarean delivery infants were prospectively evaluated for the first 10 minutes after delivery. Peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) and heart rate were measured on the right hand using pulsoximetry with near infrared spectroscopy. Regional oxygen saturation of the brain (rSO(2)brain) was measured. Fractional tissue oxygen extraction was calculated for each minute.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 4 to 8 minutes, SpO(2) values for cesarean delivery infants were significantly lower than for vaginally delivered infants. Heart rate of the cesarean delivery infants was significantly lower throughout the whole observation period. There was no difference between groups in rSO(2)brain. Fractional tissue oxygen extraction only differed at minute 10.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although SpO(2) and heart rate were significantly lower in cesarean-delivered infants, there were no differences in rSO(2)brain with respect to mode of delivery.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit for Cerebral Development and Oximetry, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Austria. berndt.urlesberger@medunigraz.at
authors.forename: Berndt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Urlesberger
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kratky
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rehak
authors.forename: Mirjam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pocivalnik
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avian
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Czihak
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pichler
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D047929:Term Birth; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen