Analysis of the appropriateness of using the Robson Classification in a high-risk maternity ward in Brasília, Brazil

The Robson Classification is a tool designed to monitor cesarean section rates in diverse populations and assess the impact of management changes. This study aimed to evaluate the application of the Robson Classification in a high-risk maternity ward in Brasília, Brazil. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, analyzing 1813 deliveries between January and June 2019 at the Materno Infantil Hospital in Brasília. The overall cesarean section rate was 55.7%, and Robson Group 5 significantly contributed to the global rate at 33.3%. It was concluded that there is an association with the type of delivery, newborn weight, and fetal disease, irrespective of the type. Regarding maternal conditions, an association was observed in Robson Group 10, which exhibited a 51.4% cesarean section rate. The use of the Robson Classification within the maternity context, despite being a local reference for high-risk pregnancies, indicated the potential for reducing cesarean rates in specific cases. A protocol based on the Robson Classification is proposed as an instrument for adjusting cesarean birth rates in all public maternity hospitals in the Federal District, Brasília, Brazil.