Influence of mode of delivery on neonatal QTc

Christina Eder; Stephan Gerling; Susanne Brandstetter; Markus‐Johann Dechant; Angela Köninger; Annegret Schnabel; Christian J. Apfelbacher; Sven Wellmann; Michael Kabesch; Andreas Ambrosch; Petra Arndt; Andrea Baessler; Mark Berneburg; Romuald Brunner; Sara Fill Malfertheiner; André Franke; Robert Häsler; Iris M. Heid; Stefanie Heinze; Wolfgang Högler; Sebastian Kerzel; Michael Koller; Michael Leitzmann; Á.M. Lennon; David Rothfuß; Martin Promm; Bianca Schaub; Stephan Weidinger; Holger Michel

doi:10.5283/epub.78987

Key result

Provided policy document contains no clinical data on how delivery mode affects neonatal QTc.

Why the study?

To evaluate the influence of mode of delivery on repolarisation and QT interval in the neonatal ECG.

Does primary caesarean section increase neonatal QTc compared to spontaneous delivery?

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate how different modes of delivery impact the QT interval in neonates.
Prospective birth cohort study design using KUNO-Kids data.
Neonates underwent ECG within the first week of life.
Subgroups classified based on mode of delivery.
Linear and logistic regression analyses conducted, adjusting for age.
712 neonates were included in the analysis.
The primary caesarean section group had a significantly higher mean QTc of 6.03 ms.
Rate of prolonged QTc (>450 ms) was significantly increased in the caesarean group with an odds ratio of 2.4.
Findings indicate a notable effect of delivery mode on neonatal QTc.

Structured PICO

Does primary caesarean section increase neonatal QTc compared to spontaneous delivery?

P

Population

712 neonates from the KUNO-Kids prospective, population-based birth cohort study

I

Intervention

Primary caesarean section

C

Comparator

Spontaneous delivery

O

Outcome

Mean QTc and rate of prolonged QTc >450 ms on ECG within the first week of lifesurrogate

Primary caesarean section is associated with a significantly higher mean QTc and increased risk of prolonged QTc >450 ms in neonates compared to spontaneous delivery.

Implication

Should not yet change neonatal QTc monitoring after primary caesarean; leaves open delivery-mode association pending dedicated cohort studies.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the influence of mode of delivery on repolarisation and QT interval in the neonatal electrocardiogram (ECG). Study design: KUNO-Kids is a prospective, population-based birth cohort study. Neonates received an ECG within the first week of life; subgroups were divided according to mode of delivery. Effects on neonatal QT interval were tested by linear and logistic regression analyses, adjusting for age at ECG recording. Results: In total, 712 neonates were included. The primary caesarean section group showed a significant higher mean QTc (regression coefficient 6.03, p = 0.033) and a significantly increased rate of prolonged QTc >450 ms (odds ratio 2.4, p = 0.042), compared to the spontaneous delivery group. Conclusion: The mode of delivery has a significant effect on neonatal QTc. Clinicians should consider this influence when deciding on postnatal and follow-up examinations, regarding additional risk factors for acquired long QT interval.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Eder et al. (2026) studied this question. The provided text is an Open Access policy document from the University of Regensburg and contains no clinical data regarding the influence of mode of delivery on neonatal QTc.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69c0ddb8fddb9876e79c119b https://doi.org/10.5283/epub.78987

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Influence of mode of delivery on neonatal QTc

Key Points

Structured PICO

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Influence of mode of delivery on neonatal QTc

Key Points

Structured PICO

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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