RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with vacuum-assisted vaginal deliveries compared to all other vaginal deliveries, and to identify the associated risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case-control study in a level iii maternity hospital between 2012 and 2016, including 1,802 vacuum-assisted vaginal deliveries and 2control groups: 1802 spontaneous deliveries and 909 forceps-assisted deliveries. We considered minor complications (soft tissue trauma, cephalohaematoma, jaundice, intensive phototherapy, transient brachial plexus injury) and major complications (hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, intracranial and subgaleal haemorrhage, seizures, cranial fracture, permanent brachial plexus injury), admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and death. RESULTS: The risk of soft tissue trauma (aOR, 2.4; P<.001), cephalohaematoma (aOR, 5.5; P<.001), jaundice (aOR, 4.4; P<.001), intensive phototherapy (aOR, 2.1; P<.001) and transient brachial plexus injury (aOR; 2.1, P=.006) was higher in vacuum deliveries compared to spontaneous deliveries. Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was also higher in vacuum deliveries compared to spontaneous deliveries (OR, 1.9; P=.001). When we compared vacuum with forceps deliveries, we found a higher risk of soft tissue trauma (OR, 2.1; P=.004), cephalohaematoma (OR, 2.2, P=.046) and jaundice (OR, 1.4; P=.012). Major complications were more frequent in the vacuum group comparing with the control groups, but the difference was not significant. The 2deaths occurred in vacuum deliveries (1.1 per 1000). CONCLUSION: The proportion of minor neonatal complications was higher in the vacuum-assisted delivery group. Although major complications and death were also more frequent, they were uncommon, with no significant differences compared to the other groups. There are obstetrical indications for vacuum delivery, but it should alert to the need to watch for potential neonatal complications.