Thirteen percent (76/568) were SGA infants,
with 51 infants in the planned vaginal group. Of
these, a minority were transferred to the NICU (N = 11).
Cord blood was sampled in 149 cases, 130 in the
planned vaginal group and 19 in the planned cesarean
section group. Acidemia (pH < 7.00) was reported in 5
(4%) cases in the planned vaginal group, and none in the
planned cesarean section group. Two infants in the
planned vaginal group had a cord blood base deficit of
at least 15. Seven infants in the planned vaginal group
had an Apgar score < 7 after five minutes versus none in
the planned cesarean section group. Of these, one infant
had an Apgar score < 4 after five minutes (serious
morbidity). Thirty seven infants were transferred to the
NICU, 29 in the planned vaginal group and eight in the
planned cesarean section group (p < 0.001). Of these,
one infant in the planned vaginal group was admitted
for more than four days (serious morbidity). This infant
was delivered vaginally, and had neurological morbidity
comprising neonatal seizures, brachial plexus injury,
cephalhematoma, and mechanical ventilation treatment.
She is now seven years old, and according to the medical
chart, she has been through several psychomotor tests
showing ability levels within the normal range, although
she demonstrates some mild visual-spatial impairment.
The infant with Apgar score < 4 after five minutes was
delivered with acute cesarean section due to fetal distress.
Her Apgar score was 9 after 10 minutes, and she
was discharged from NICU after one day’s observation.
She is now twelve years old, and has shown normal
cognitive and psychomotor development.