Term breech and long-term morbidity - cesarean sectionversus vaginal breech delivery

Study: Perinatal morbidity and mortality of term fetuses have been discusse d extensively both for vaginal breech delivery and cesarean section. Howeve r, information regarding long-term morbidity and psychomotoric development of these children are scarce. Design: Data of 154 children delivered after breech presentation at our institution between 1988 and 1994 were analyzed using a specific, standardized questionnaire (Enzephalopathiefragebogen, Me yer-Probst) with emphasis: on psychomotoric development and skills. Hyperki netic disorders, social adaptation, emotional instability, and intelligence were evaluated as subcategories and compared to perinatal data. Results: p O(2) and base excess (BE) in the umbilical artery were lower in the vaginal group. pH, body weight and placental weight showed no difference between g roups. Psychomotoric development and skills did not differ between children delivered vaginally or abdominally. Perinatal variables did not allow a pr ediction of long-term morbidity. Conclusion: Route of delivery has negligib le influence on the measured values in the umbilical artery and no influenc e on long-term morbidity of fetuses presenting breech. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sc ience Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.