The Lancet. Global health
-
The Lancet. Global health · Aug 2018
ReviewAn approach to identify a minimum and rational proportion of caesarean sections in resource-poor settings: a global network study.
Caesarean section prevalence is increasing in Asia and Latin America while remaining low in most African regions. Caesarean section delivery is effective for saving maternal and infant lives when they are provided for medically-indicated reasons. On the basis of ecological studies, caesarean delivery prevalence between 9% and 19% has been associated with better maternal and perinatal outcomes, such as reduced maternal land fetal mortality. However, the specific prevalence of obstetric and medical complications that require caesarean section have not been established, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to provide information to inform the approach to the provision of caesarean section in low-resource settings. ⋯ Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.