Risk of respiratory distress syndrome related to gestational age, route of delivery, and maternal diabetes

From this analysis, respiratory distress syndrome appears to be a condition related to prematurity, exacerbated by cesarean section delivery, and unaffected by maternal diabetes. The incidence and mortality rate are inversely related to gestational age with the syndrome probably rarely, if ever, occurring after 38 weeks. Cesarean section is associated with a markedly increased incidence and mortality rate. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in infants of diabetic mothers is the same as in infants of nondiabetic mothers when delivered at the same gestational age and by the same route. When premature delivery is considered for maternal or fetal complications, it should, whenever possible, be effected vaginally rather than by cesarean section.