Persistence of fruitless caesarean sections in Indian rural women.

Caesarean section is one of the commonest major surgical procedures in public and private hospitals. The worldwide rise in the caesarean section rate during the last 50 years is cause for alarm and a matter of concern. This increase deserves international attention not only because of health consequences, resource administration and policies, but also because high caesarean section rates are not associated with low perinatal mortality rates. The present study is an analysis of indications of caesarean sections performed with no take-home baby ('fruitless' caesarean section) between April 1983 and March 2007. It was revealed that the caesarean section rate has increased from 15.47% of births in 1983 to 37.96% births in 2007, and 03.75% of these were fruitless. The overall perinatal mortality rate has reduced from 91.56 in 1983 to 51.20 in 2007, for various reasons. This analysis reveals a large increase in caesarean sections with many being fruitless. While the major causes of perinatal mortality were sepsis, prematurity and congenital anomalies which need to be addressed, it is also essential to review the indications of caesarean section, so as to prevent fruitless caesarean sections.