Moderate neonatal morbidity after vaginal term breech delivery.
OBJECTIVE
Comparison of the results of term breech births in our clinic with the Term Breech Trial (TBT).


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Molkenboer
J F M
JF
Atrium Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Reijners
E P J
EP
Nijhuis
J G
JG
Roumen
F J M E
FJ
D000328:Adult; D001946:Breech Presentation; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D047929:Term Birth