MATERNAL AND FETAL FACTORS IN BREECH PRESENTATION

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 64  (1) , 55-59
Abstract
Ultrasound examination was used to identify fetal and environmental differences between breech and vertex presentations. During a period of 13 mo., 228 pregnancies with the fetus in breech position were found by routine ultrasound screening in the 33rd gestational wk. Before delivery, 132 fetuses (58%) turned to vertex presentation and 96 (42%) remained in breech presentation. Fetal growth, posture, position, placental site and amniotic fluid volume in the 33rd, 35th and 38th gestational wk were studied. No difference between the 2 groups (breech and vertex) was found regarding the frequency of extended fetal legs and cornual-fundal placental implantation. The neonates born in breech presentation had a shorter gestational age by 10 days at delivery, and preterm delivery was more common. At birth, the breech neonates weighed 4.9% less than their vertex controls in relation to gestational age. In the breech group, there was an increased frequency of oligohydramnios, contracted pelvis and uterine and fetal malformations. These conditions occurred only in 15% of the breech pregnancies; in the remaining 85%, no single cause of the breech presentation could be identified.

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