[Newborn shoulder width: physiological variations and predictive value for shoulder dystocia].

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine maternal and infant characteristics affecting newborn shoulder width (NSW) and to evaluate the predictive value of NSW measurement in cases of shoulder dystocia.

DESIGN

NSW was systematically measured at birth during a period of 18 months.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Saint-Antoine University Hospital (Paris-France).

POPULATION

A total of 2.222 NSW measurements were performed and 22 cases of true shoulder dystocia occurred during the study period.

METHODS

NSW measurements were reviewed and correlated with maternal age, parity, nonpregnant weight, weight gain during pregnancy, height, race, fasting glucose and one hour glucose levels, gestational age, birthweight and sex of the neonate. A Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate NSW as a test for predicting shoulder dystocia.

RESULTS

The mean NSW was 122.06 mm +/-0.50 SD. Stepwise multiple regression showed that NSW was significantly associated with birthweight (p<0.001), parity (p = 0.04), and nonpregnant weight (p = 0.04). We estimated that the best cut-off for shoulder dystocia prediction was a NSW measurement with a low false positive rate (<10%) in association with a high sensitivity rate. Therefore, NSW measurement above or equal to 140 mm was selected. This measurement should have a low sensitivity of 27.27%, a specificity of 91.82%, a positive predictive value of 4.02%, and a predictive negative value of 99.01% for shoulder dystocia prediction. Nevertheless, birthweight above or equal to 4000 g should retrospectively have a better predictive value for shoulder dystocia.

CONCLUSIONS

NSW measurement, which is strongly correlated with birth weight, still remains a poor predictor for shoulder dystocia, even when this evaluation is correct antenatally.