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Published on: October 25, 2015
Antepartum identification of breech presentation.
William J Watson1, Suzanne Welter, Diana Day
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls 57105, USA. wwatson@usd.edu
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|May 12, 2004
Summary
Clinical identification of breech presentation in the third trimester is only 57.1% accurate. Accuracy depends on the individual provider, not gestational age or maternal body mass index.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Medicine
- Diagnostic Accuracy
Background:
- Accurate determination of fetal presentation is crucial for optimal prenatal care and delivery planning.
- Breech presentation, where the fetus is positioned buttocks or feet first, requires specific management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy of clinical methods in identifying breech presentation during the third trimester.
- To identify factors influencing the accuracy of clinical breech presentation diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 311 third-trimester patients.
- Clinical assessment of fetal presentation followed by ultrasound confirmation.
- Measurement of amniotic fluid volume, maternal BMI, and abdominal wall thickness.
Main Results:
- Overall accuracy of clinical breech presentation identification was 57.1% (28 out of 49).
- Gestational age, maternal BMI, and abdominal wall thickness did not significantly affect diagnostic accuracy.
- Significant variability in accuracy was observed among different examiners.
Conclusions:
- Clinical assessment of breech presentation has limited accuracy in the third trimester.
- Accuracy is primarily dependent on the individual healthcare provider's skill, not maternal or fetal factors like BMI or gestational age.
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