Clinics in Mother and Child Health

Abstract

Neonatal Outcome of Term Breech Births: A 15-Year Review at the Yaoundé General Hospital, Cameroon

J. D. Kemfang Ngowa, J. M. Kasia, A. Ekotarh, and C. Nzedjom

The aim of this study was to describe the neonatal outcomes among term singleton infants with breech presentation delivered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, over a 15- year period. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data collected from March 1992 to March 2007 at the Yaoundé General Hospital, Cameroon. Of 249 term singleton infants in breech presentation, 73 (29.31%) were born by elective cesarean section and 176 (70.67%) were allowed for trial of vaginal delivery with 136 (54.61%) delivered vaginally and 40 (16.06%) delivered by intra-labor cesarean section. Compared to infants born by elective cesarean section, those delivered vaginally or by intra-labor cesarean section were more likely to have low 5-minute Apgar scores (4.1% vs. 17.77%; P <.001), require admission to neonatal unit (08.21.% vs. 13.63%; P <.001), and have an increased risk for perinatal mortality (0% vs. 05.68%; P <.001). Trial of vaginal delivery of term infants in breech presentation was associated with significantly increased risk of perinatal death and neonatal morbidity.