(ANSA) - Rome, December 19 - Caesarian sections fell again
last year and for the first time dropped below 25% of Italian
births, an Agenas report said Tuesday.
Italy has traditionally led Europe in the number of Caesarian
sections performed.
Caesarian births were much lower in the affluent north than
in the poorer south, the report said.
They were under 20% in the northern and central regions of
Piedmont, Lombardy, Trento and Bolzano, Veneto,
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna and Toscany.
In Campania the average was around 45% but with incidences of
over 90%.
Molise, Abruzzo and Puglia were also far above the national
average.
"Overall, the caesarian rates are still far from
international standards," said the report.
In other findings, the Agenas report said the promptness of
operations on fractures had increased.
It also said mortality rates 30 days after admission for
heart attacks were significantly down.
Caesarians down again, for first time under 25% of births (3)
But still very high in south