Long-term follow-up of preterm infants in breech presentation delivered by caesarean section. A prospective study
Ingemarsson, I.; Westgren, M.; Svenningsen, N.W.
Lancet 2(8082): 172-175
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 78381 Document Number: 134653
All 42 breech infants delivered by cesarean section before the 37th gestational wk were followed up prospectively. Outcome in this group was compared with that for all 48 preterm breech infants delivered vaginally before the introduction of routine cesarean section. Delivery by cesarean section significantly reduced the frequency of severe prolonged asphyxia and neonatal mortality was reduced from 14.6% to 4.8%. At 12 mo. of age 24% of those delivered vaginally had developmental or neurological abnormalities compared with 2.5% of those delivered by cesarean section.