Cesarean section and the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis

Purpose To explore the association between cesarean section (CS) and the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov database for studies related to the association between CS and the risk of neonatal RDS up to 25 August 2018. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random-effects model (REM). Results A total of 26 studies from 25 available articles were included in this meta-analysis. For the association between CS and the risk of neonatal RDS, the pooled OR was 1.76 (95% CI 1.48-2.09). The pooled OR of the risk of neonatal RDS was 2.38 (95% CI 1.89-2.99) for elective CS and 1.85 (95% CI 1.34-2.56) for emergency CS. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggested that CS, elective CS, and emergency CS were associated with an increased risk of neonatal RDS.