Previous studies have reported
that neonates born to DM mothers are more frequently
delivered by caesarean section.13 We have refined this
finding by showing a tight relationship between IT-DM
and elective caesarean section to prevent maternal-fetal
complications. On the other hand, the risk of respiratory
distress in near-term and full-term infants has been
found to be up to 3.9-fold higher when the birth occurs
by caesarean section.14 15
Recently, two other studies have suggested that maternal
DM is an independent risk factor for respiratory distress
in neonates born after 34 weeks of gestation.7 16
However, the total number of infants with respiratory