The Increasing Trend in Caesarean Section Rates: Global, Regional and National Estimates: 1990-2014.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Caesarean section (CS) rates continue to evoke worldwide concern because of their steady increase, lack of consensus on the appropriate CS rate and the associated additional short- and long-term risks and costs. We present the latest CS rates and trends over the last 24 years.

Methods

We collected nationally-representative data on CS rates between 1990 to 2014 and calculated regional and subregional weighted averages. We conducted a longitudinal analysis calculating differences in CS rates as absolute change and as the average annual rate of increase (AARI).

Results

According to the latest data from 150 countries, currently 18.6% of all births occur by CS, ranging from 6% to 27.2% in the least and most developed regions, respectively. Latin America and the

SUBMITTER: Betran AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4743929 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature