Breech presentation at term: morbidity and mortality according to the type of delivery at Port Royal Maternity hospital from 1993 through 1999.

OBJECTIVE

To compare neonatal morbidity and mortality at Port Royal Maternity between 1993 and 1999 for infants with a singleton breech presentation born after 37 weeks, according to planned mode of delivery.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective study of 501 patients of whom vaginal delivery was planned in 322 (64%) or/and cesarean in 179 (36%).

RESULTS

Severe neonatal morbidity was similar in the two groups (13/322, 4.0% versus 8/179, 4.5%; P=0.82); severe trauma morbidity was not significantly higher in the "planned vaginal delivery" group (3/322, 0.9% versus 1/179, 0.06%; P=0.16); there were no long-term sequelae. Mortality was not higher when vaginal delivery was planned.

CONCLUSION

We have not found in this series any excess of morbidity or mortality attributable to vaginal delivery of breech presentations. This work does not indicate that we should change our obstetrical practice in the light of other recently-published studies.