The vast majority of
breech position newborns are
normal at birth. But fetal abnormalities are more common
in breech newborns than in newborns
delivered in the head-down position.
In more than 50% of breech births, there is no apparent cause for the
fetus's failure to turn head-down.1 However, experts
have noted that some fetal conditions, such as neurological and muscular
problems, are linked to breech birth. Such conditions are thought to make a
fetus less able to turn to the head-down vertex position before birth.2
Fetal problems most commonly seen in breech infants born at full
term include:1
- Trisomy 21, a type of
Down syndrome, affecting about 1 in 200 breech
infants.
- Anencephaly,
affecting about 1 in 250 breech infants.
- Hydrocephalus,
affecting about 1 in 167 breech infants at birth.
- Cardiovascular
problems, affecting about 1 in 200 breech infants.
- Gastrointestinal
problems, affecting about 1 in 200 breech infants.
Many of these conditions can be detected by tests early in
pregnancy.
Citations
Cruikshank DP (2003). Breech, other malpresentations,
and umbilical cord complications. In JR Scott et al., eds., Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9th ed., pp. 381-395.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Cunningham FG, et al. (2005). Breech presentation and
delivery. In Williams Obstetrics, 22nd ed., pp. 565-586.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Cruikshank DP (2003). Breech, other malpresentations,
and umbilical cord complications. In JR Scott et al., eds., Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9th ed., pp. 381-395.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Cunningham FG, et al. (2005). Breech presentation and
delivery. In Williams Obstetrics, 22nd ed., pp. 565-586.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
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