Main findings:
In this study, the neonatal levels of inflammatory and stress-markers
were generally lower, and the levels of growth factors were higher after
pre-labour CS compared to after VD or in-labour CS. The differences in
biomarkers could not be explained by the higher incidence of PROM before
in-labour CS and VD. Accordingly, the data suggests that the labour
process has an important physiological effect on the foetal immune
system and level of stress, regardless if the delivery ends with
caesarean section or vaginal birth.