Moderate neonatal morbidity after vaginal term breech delivery

Abstract

Objective: Comparison of the results of term breech births in our clinic with the Term Breech Trial (TBT).

Material and methods: During the investigation period prospective data were collected on all deliveries of a term baby in breech presentation. Some pregnant women were included in the TBT and randomized in a planned cesarean section (CS)-group and a planned vaginal birth (VB)-group. The remaining non-randomized women were divided into a primary CS-group and a started VB-group. Neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity were analyzed retrospectively, according to the intended mode of delivery.

Results: Neonatal or maternal mortality occurred in none of the groups. Neither in the randomized group nor in the non-randomized group were significant differences in serious neonatal and maternal morbidity observed between the intended cesarean section-group and the group that started vaginal delivery. However, in the non-randomized group, moderate neonatal morbidity was significantly lower in the primary CS-group than in the started VB-group.

Conclusion: The differences in moderate neonatal morbidity support the conclusion of the TBT, that primary cesarean section may be safer for the term breech baby than a trial of vaginal labor.