Neonatal complications among 596 infants delivered by vacuum extraction (in relation to characteristics of the extraction).

Objective: To investigate the association between complicated vacuum extraction (VE) deliveries and neonatal complications.

Methods: Observational study including data on the management of 596 consecutive VE-deliveries at 6 different birth clinics in Sweden in 2013. We used logistic regression to examine the association between a complicated VE and: extracranial bleeding, severe neonatal complication (intracranial hemorrhage and/or asphyxia/low Apgar score and/or convulsions, and/or encephalopathy), and brachial plexus injury. VE was considered complicated if duration exceeded 15 min, and/or more than six pulls were used, and/or more than one cup detachment occurred. Uncomplicated VE served as the reference group.

Results: Ten percent of the infants were diagnosed with at least one of the investigated complications. Cephalohematoma occurred in 5.2% of the infants and 1.5% had a subgaleal hematoma. Altogether 24 (4.0%) infants were diagnosed with a severe complication; low Apgar score, neonatal convulsions, encephalopathy or intracranial hemorrhages. Brachial plexus injury occurred in eight (1.3%) infants. The crude odds ratio for extracranial hemorrhages was 2.6 (95% CI 1.17-5.77), 4.07 (1.67-9.92) for severe neonatal complications, and 4.63 (1.08-19.76) for brachial plexus injury.

Conclusions: Extraction time >15 min, >6 pulls and >1 cup detachment is associated with increased risk of neonatal complications. These results support compliance with guidelines and recommendations for VE deliveries.