THE PROGNOSIS OF BREECH DELIVERED SINGLETON LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

Summary

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 injuries, two left the country during their second year 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.