Publication:

Retrospective analysis of breech deliveries in tertiary care center

Background Breech presentation is the commonest malpresentation accounting for 3-4% of all deliveries at term. The most common cause for breech presentation is preterm delivery. The safest route of delivery for breech had long been a topic of debate and after the results of term breech trial mode of delivery has become abdominal route even in teaching institutions.

Methods This is a retrospective cross sectional study conducted at department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Government medical college, Kozhikode, for a period of 2 years from 01 January 2016 to 31 December 2017. Mothers with gestational age between 28 weeks to 41 weeks with singleton live fetus with breech presentation who had either vaginal or caesarean delivery were included. The case notes were retrieved from the medical records department.

Results A total of 823 breech deliveries occurred during the study period. Of the total mothers 429 were primies and 394 were multies. Common causes identified were prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, uterine and fetal anomalies. Mode of delivery was caesarean in more than 80% of cases.

Conclusions Incidence of breech presentation was 3.2% during the study period. Increasing incidence of caesarean delivery is seen in breech presentation. Persistent breech presentation at term is most commonly seen in patients with associated oligamnios, intrauterine growth restriction, and uterine anomalies.