ABSTRACT
The effect of the delivery method on the short-term and long-term morbidity and mortality
of the very low birthweight breech-presenting infants was evaluated. Although some
previous studies question the benefit of cesarean section for the premature breech
infants, the mortality rate and the incidence of birth injuries were significantly
lower in the abdominally delivered group than in those delivered vaginally. The long-term
follow-up clearly demonstrates that the vaginally delivered infants had a substantially
higher incidence of cerebral palsy, visual damage, deafness, and severe developmental
delay. It is concluded that cesarean section may be the preferred delivery method
for the breech-presenting infants weighing 1000 to 1999 gm, offering a better quality
of life.
