-Report on Experiments and Clinical Cases-

Risk Factors for Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn in Infants Delivered Vaginally at 37 Weeks or Later

Akane Takaya¹, Miwa Igarashi¹, Mizue Nakajima², Hidehiko Miyake¹, Yoshio Shima² and Shunji Suzuki¹

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital
²Department of Pediatrics, Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital

In this case-control study, we examined infants delivered vaginally at 37 weeks or later to identify factors associated with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). We reviewed the obstetric records of all vaginal deliveries at the Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital from 2005 through 2007. Demographic information and the characteristics of labor were extracted from patient charts. Multivariate analysis identified that the incidence of TTN was significantly associated with nulliparity; a history of infertility therapy, such as in vitro fertilization; augmentation of labor; nonreassuring fetal status; vacuum/forceps delivery; and low Apgar score (<7) at 1 and 5 minutes. In addition, a low Apgar score at 1 minute was the factor most strongly associated with the incidence of TTN (adjusted odds ratio, 20; 95% confidence intervals, 12-34; p<0.001). The present results indicate that the improvement of obstetric surveillance to diminish the frequency of low Apgar scores is important for preventing TTN in infants delivered vaginally at 37 weeks or later.

J Nippon Med Sch 2008; 75: 269-273

Keywords
risk factor, transient tachypnea of the newborn, vaginal delivery, term, low Apgar score

Correspondence to
Shunji Suzuki, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital, 5-11-12 Tateishi, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 124-0012, Japan
czg83542@mopera.ne.jp

Received, May 23, 2008
Accepted, July 4, 2008