Caesarean before labour between 34 and 37 weeks: what are the risk factors of severe neonatal respiratory distress?

Objective: To assess the frequency of severe neonatal respiratory distress and identify its risk factors in caesarean deliveries before labour between 34 and 37 weeks' gestation.

Study Design: Retrospective study of children born by caesarean delivery before labour between 34 and 37 weeks, between 1999 and 2003 in a level 3 maternity unit. The frequencies of severe and mild neonatal respiratory distress were calculated.