Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
The prognosis of breech delivered singleton low birth weight infants
Insights
For low birth weight infants delivered breech, long-term neurological issues are rare. The primary risk for these babies is neonatal death, not lasting neurological sequelae.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Neonatal Neurology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Breech presentation in low birth weight infants poses delivery method dilemmas.
- Assessing long-term neurological outcomes is crucial for clinical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the probability of long-term neurological sequelae in low birth weight infants delivered via breech presentation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of hospital records for infants born 1973-1974.
- Inclusion criteria: live-born, low birth weight (<2500 g), breech delivery.
- Follow-up assessment of neonatal survival and neurological status.
Main Results:
- 51 low birth weight infants were delivered breech; 36 survived the neonatal period.
- Of the 30 infants with available follow-up, all were neurologically normal and attending ordinary schools.
- No long-term neurological sequelae were identified in the survivors.
Conclusions:
- In the era without intensive neonatal care, neonatal death was a greater risk than long-term neurological sequelae for breech-delivered low birth weight infants.
- The study suggests a low probability of neurological deficits in this population.
- Findings support informed decision-making regarding delivery methods for breech presentation in low birth weight neonates.
Abstract:
An estimate of the probability of long term neurological sequelae in breech delivered low birth weight infants is an important factor in deciding on the method of delivery in breech presentation. From the hospital records we have identified those infants who during the years 1973 and 1974 were live born of low birth weight (under 2500 g) and who were delivered by the breech. Of 51 infants, 36 survived the neonatal period. Two have died, one of multiple congenital abnormalities and one of accidental, two left the country during their second of life at which time they were known to be developing normally. Two remained untraced. The remaining 30 are all living locally, they are all neurologically normal and are attending ordinary schools. In the absence of intensive methods of neonatal care the risk to the breech delivered low birth weight baby is of neonatal death rather than of long term neurological sequelae.
