[Association between newborn vitality and type of delivery].

The objective of this study was to associate the Apgar score at the first and the fifth minutes of life among neonates born by normal vaginal delivery and by Cesarean section. The population of the study comprised 150 term neonates, 75 of whom were born by normal vaginal delivery and 75 by C-section. The results presented a significant difference (P = 0.046) in the 4 to 6 Apgar score at the first minute of life, showing a reduction in vitality after delivery by C-section. Male newborns seemed to be more influenced by the type of delivery than female ones. This was observed in the lower Apgar score during the first minute of life, showing a significant diftfrence (P = 0.004) in the deliveries by C-section. In term neonates the weight was not related to a variation in vitality when associated to the type of delivery.