Article Text
Abstract
This study was concerned with 50 newborns among whom 25 had been born by instrumented delivery and 25 by programmed caesarean.
The objectives of this study are analysis of the stress to the newborn of being born by a low level assisted way compared to those born by programmed caesarean at birth, after 15 days then at 2 months of life.
Methodology in the neonatal period the analysis was by the rates of cortisol in the blood of the umbilical artery by radio-immuno-assay. At the ages of 15 days and 2 months the evaluations were by the intensity of the pain esponse to a vaccinal act by using DAN scores. The results obtained were described and compared. A difference is considered statistically significant if p<0.05.
Results The mean values for the cortisol were 403.4 nmol/l±260.90 for the low assist methods and of 117.1±63.90 for the caesareans: p<0.00001. The comparison of the pain scores after a vaccinal act as well as after BCG at 2 weeks of life, as after DTCP in 2 months of life, showed significant differences: p = 0.016 at 2 weeks; p = 0.0001 at 2 months.
Conclusion We have shown that a baby’s stress and DAN scores to inoculation at 2 and 8 weeks was related to mode of delivery, with the greatest response shown in those born by assisted delivery and the least response in those born by elective caesarean section.