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Long bone fractures in extreme low birth weight infants at birth: obstetrical considerations
Inés E García García1, Alberto de la Vega, Lourdes García Fragoso
1Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology Section, Medical Sciences Campus, PO Box 365067, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067. nicu@coqui.net
Background:
Cesarean section is a common delivery route for breech fetuses < 1000 gm to prevent trauma. However, abdominal and vaginal delivery maneuvers are similar. Cesarean section avoids the risk of head entrapment but long bone trauma can still occur.
Cases:
We identified three neonates with femoral fractures during a one year period. All mothers were in active labor. All were premature newborns less than 32 weeks gestation, in breech presentation and delivered by a low vertical cesarean section. Review of all cesarean sections done due to mal presentation (n = 26) during that time showed 11 classic and 15 lower segment vertical incisions (both vertical and transverse).
Conclusions:
The interest to reduce maternal morbidity may prompt physicians to perform a low segment vertical incision for delivery of a preterm breech. This decision may increase the chances of trauma by providing less area for the required obstetric maneuvers.