Linear association between maternal age and spontaneous breech presentation in singleton pregnancies after 32 weeks gestation.

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between maternal age and spontaneous breech presentation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifteen-year observational study over (2001-2015). All consecutive singleton births delivered at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sud Reunion's maternity. The only single exclusion criterion was uterine malformations (N = 123) women.

RESULTS

Of the 60,963 singleton births, there was a linear association (χ for linear trend, p< 0.0001) between maternal age and spontaneous breech presentation. Overall rate of breech presentation was 2.7% in deliveries over 32 weeks gestation, while it was 1.9% in women aged 15 to 19 years and 4.0% in women aged 45+, with a linear progression for each 5-year age category. This linearity remained significant controlling for early prematurity (<33 weeks) and severe fetal malformations (χ for linear trend = 64, p < 0.0001). Controlling in a multiple logistic regression model for other major risk factors gestational age, female sex, primiparity, maternal age remained significantly an independent risk factor, p < 0.0001.

CONCLUSION

Maternal age (x) is an independent factor for breech presentation in singleton pregnancies after 32 weeks gestation with a linear association that may be approximated at y = 0.1x. (y: incidence, percent).