[Perinatal morbidity of breech children in relation to mode of delivery. A retrospective study].

A retrospective study was made on the perinatal morbidity and mortality of 268 infants born from breech presentation in the years 1984-1986. The fraction of vaginal deliveries changed from 12.8% in 1984 to 41.2% in 1986. Criteria for perinatal morbidity were: frequency of transfers to the pediatric department; Apgar score; and the pH in the umbilical cord arteries (pHU.C.A.). After vaginal delivery from pelvic presentation, the average pHU.C.A. was significantly lower than after cesarean section (p less than 0.05) in infants with a birth weight over 2500 g. Severe acidosis (pHU.C.A. less than 7.1) was equally rare in both groups; mild acidosis (7.1 less than or equal to pHU.C.A. less than or equal to 7.2) was more frequent in the vaginally delivered infants greater than or equal to 2500 g; 18.4% as opposed to 3.4% after cesarean section. It is remarkable, however, that mild acidosis was registered in 13-15% of all deliveries in the years 1984-1986. The different frequencies of transfer to the pediatric department and Apgar scores were not due to the different delivery methods.