Fetomaternal Outcome of Breech Presentation at Tertiary Care Hospital

Breech presentation, occurring in 3-4% of singleton pregnancies at term, is a type of abnormal presentation when the fetus's buttocks or legs enter the pelvic inlet, leading to potential adverse outcomes for both mother and child. This study explored the prevalence of breech presentation at tertiary care hospitaland its impact on mothers and foetuses. It included 100 cases over a period of two years that met specific inclusion criteria.

The outcome of the study revealed the following:

• A prevalence of 3.85% for breech presentation was found among 2,592 total deliveries. 
• Most cases (51%) were in women aged 21-25, with 53% being first-time mothers and 67% having received antenatal care.
• A significant number of deliveries (93%) were via cesarean section, often linked to conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), oligohydramnios, and premature rupture of membranes (PROM).
• Perinatal complications, including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), low birth weight (LBW), and fetal distress, were more prevalent in vaginal deliveries (57%) compared to cesarean deliveries (18.27%), which were also correlated with increased NICU admissions.

To conclude, the mode of delivery in breech presentation is dependent upon the gestational age, type of breech, stage of labour, foetal health and availability of skilled obstetrician and paediatrician/NICU. Although cesarean sections can reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality compared to vaginal deliveries in breech cases, they do not completely eliminate the risks for mothers and infants.

Source: Solanki SM, Patel AJ, Bhati B. A study on fetomaternal outcome of singlet one breech delivery at tertiary care hospital. Int J Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2024;8(6):93-96. DOI: 10.33545/gynae.2024.v8.i6b.1545