Chronological Pattern of the Frequencies and Indications for Cesarean Section: Analysis of 6,051 Cesarean Section Cases at Busan Paik Hospital for 24 Years, 1980-2003

Kim, Young Nam; Kang, Young Mi; Gil, Min Kyung; Kim, Sung Yong; Jeong, Dae Hoon; Lee, Kyung Bok; Sung, Moon Soo; Kim, Ki Tae

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate chronological pattern of the frequencies and indications for cesarean section performed at one university hospital for 24 years.
METHODS
This study was carried out retrospectively based on the clinical records of 6,051 patients who had cesarean sections among total 28,836 delivery cases at our hospital from January, 1980 to December, 2003 to show the frequencies and indications for cesarean section.
RESULTS
The relative frequencies of cesarean section among total delivery cases for 24 years was 21.0%. The frequencies was 16.6% in the 1980s, 21.9% in the 1990s and 34.3% in the 2000s, which shows a tendency to marked increment. The common indications of cesarean section for 24 years was previous cesarean section (40.9%) followed by abnormal presentation (16.3%), dystocia (12.2%), fetal distress (7.9%), placenta previa (6.8%). Repeat cesarean section showed increasing frequencies from 1980 to 1992 and dropped again from 2002. Dystocia and abnormal presentation showed decreasing frequencies, but multiple pregnancy, placenta previa and other indications showed increasing frequencies, especially in late 1990s and 2000s.
CONCLUSION
The frequencies for cesarean section was increasing, especially from 1990s. There are many changes in indications for cesarean section. Recent changes was decreasing frequencies for repeat cesarean section, increasing for multiple pregnancy, placenta previa and other indications. This might be related to low birth rate and high elderly mother's proportion.