Effect of Cesarean Section on Neonatal Body Water Spaces

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Abstract
Body water spaces in 16 vaginally delivered, mature neonates and 17 infants delivered by cesarean section were estimated by in vivo dilution studies within 19 hours of birth. A significant increase in mean total water was noted in the infants delivered by cesarean section (about 250 ml per 3.2-kg "average" study baby). This excess water was primarily intracellular, representing an average 20 per cent expansion of cell water in the neonate. A significant decline in cell water was observed in the vaginally delivered neonates within eight hours of birth. Although a similar trend was noted in those delivered by cesarean section the magnitude of the decline was considerably less.