Meta-Analysis of the Role of Delivery Type in Infantile Physical Morbidities

Background: In recent years, many studies have been conducted on infantile complications related to delivery type and researchers have tried to determine the amount, importance and role delivery type. This study aimed to use meta-analysis to integrate the different studies and investigate the impact of delivery type on infantile complications. Methods: Using Howitt and Cramer approach, 41 studies of 62, which were acceptable in terms of methodology, were selected and meta-analysis was conducted. Research instrument was a checklist of meta-analysis. After summarizing the results of the studies, effect size was calculated manually and combined based on meta-analysis and interpreted in accordance with Cohen’s table. Findings: The effect size of cesarean delivery was 0.35 on infantile physical complications (P < 0.001), 0.43 on respiratory morbidities (P < 0.001), 0.34 on breastfeeding (P < 0.001), 0.29 on jaundice (P < 0.09), and 0.27 on others (P < 0.001). Conclusion: According to Cohen’s table, the effect size of cesarean delivery on infantile physical morbidities was evaluated as moderate.