[Choice of delivery methods for cases of breech presentation, with particular reference to premature birth (author's...

Overall mortality, stillbirths and neonatal deaths up to the 28th day of age included, were tested together with selected morbidity parameters, depending on delivery methods used (vaginal route or caesarean section). The group of probands included 112 single births on terms and 136 genuine single premature births (31st to 35th weeks of pregnancy), all of them delivered from breech presentation. Caesarean section for breech presentation deliveries on full term was found to be indicated primarily for cases of cephalopelvic disproportionality and severe risk factors and secondarily on account of cardiotocographic monitoring. Caesarean section has been the method of choice from 1979 for premature births from breech presentation, delivery dates being between the 31st and 35th weeks of pregnancy.--Breech presentation delivery goes along with higher morbidity or mortality risk and, therefore, has become a priority problem in the context of prematurity and its prevention. Efforts should be made to achieve vaginal birth on full term by abandonment of oxytocics and with general cardiotocographic monitoring, despite higher risk of acidosis, however, only in the absence of cephalopelvic disproportionally and grave risk factors. Higher mortality and acidosis risks, accumulation of pulmonary complications, and the need for neonatal intensive care for newborns vaginally delivered from breech presentation were all found by more detailed analysis to be concentrated in the period just before the 35th week of pregnancy. In cases of premature births from breech presentation which could not be therapeutically prevented, caesarean section should be performed up to the 35th week of pregnancy. Vaginal delivery of newborns from breech presentation is considered acceptable beyond the 35th week of pregnancy, with due consideration to be given to the selection criteria generally valid for births on term.