Perinatal mortality and breech presentation in Trinidad - abstract

ABSTRACT

Of 12,698 births at Mount Hope Women's Hospital from January 1983 to December 1984, there were 398 breech deliveries, giving a prevalence of 3.06 percent. Perinatal mortality was assessed in relation to gestatioinal age, birthweight and mode of delivery. The corrected perinatal mortality rate per 1,000 breech presentations was 71.7, compared with 19.9 per 1,000 for the entire hospital population. Perinatal mortality was highest in babies less than 32 weeks' gestation and in those weighing less than 1,500 gm for the gestational age range 28-32 weeks. However, a significantly improved outcome was noted with delivery by Caesarean section for this gestational age group (AU)