The impact of mode of birth delivery on child health in India

Background: A skilled birth attendant and the place of delivery have significant effects on child growth. Aims: The present paper aims to examine the mode of delivery and its impact on child health among children (0 – 59 months) in India. Methods: The life table estimation of mortality and both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify the association between child health and mode of delivery using data from the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015 – 2016. Results: After adjusting for socioeconomic and biodemographic factors, poor child growth (measured through Z-scores for stunting, wasting, and underweight categories) was more significant in cesarean delivery compared to normal delivery. In contrast, live birth for different groups of women was reportedly higher in normal vaginal delivery than in cesarean delivery. Neonatal and infant mortality rates were lower for normal delivery than cesarean delivery, particularly in public hospitals. The risk of child death was also higher in cesarean delivery, particularly in the neonatal period. Conclusion: The findings from this study could inform the development of health-care policies and the implementation of strategies aimed at improving the quality of painless labor and prompt delivery in health-care facilities, particularly public hospitals. Relevance for Patients: The present study may help pregnant women and their providers decide whether a cesarean delivery is appropriate.