OBJECTIVES: To identify the perinatal risk factors for the occurrence of singleton apparently stillborn infants. METHODS: This was a case-control study. A total of 154 singleton neonates with gestational age ≥28 weeks and Apgar score of 0-1 who were subsequently successfully resuscitated in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from January 2006 to December 2015 were enrolled as the case group (apparently stillborn group). A total of 616 singleton infants born from January 2006 to December 2015 (1-minute Apgar score >1) were randomly selected in a 1:4 ratio as the control group. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the perinatal risk factors for the occurrence of apparently stillborn infants. RESULTS: The gestational age and birth weight in the apparently stillborn group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of fetal hydrops, cord prolapse, grade III meconium-stained amniotic fluid, placental abruption, breech presentation, severe pre-eclampsia, maternal general anesthesia at delivery, abnormal antenatal fetal heart monitoring and decreased fetal movement were significantly higher in the apparently stillborn group than those in the control group (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic analysis showed that the mother had general anesthesia at delivery (OR=34.520), decreased antenatal fetal movement (OR=28.168),placental abruption (OR=15.641), grade III meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR=6.365), abnormal antenatal fetal heart monitoring (OR=5.739), and breech presentation (OR=2.614) were risk factors for the occurrence of apparently stillborn infants (P<0.05), while higher gestational age was a protective factor (OR=0.686, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Attention needs to be paid to mothers with abnormal prenatal fetal heart monitoring, decreased fetal movement, preterm labor, placental abruption, breech presentation, grade III meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and general anesthesia. Preparations for resuscitation should be done to rescue apparently stillborn infants.
Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Abruptio Placentae/epidemiology* ; Apgar Score ; Breech Presentation ; Case-Control Studies ; Placenta ; Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Stillbirth

breech presentation were enrolled in the study. HOB from the maternal pubic symphysis was measured on ultrasonography. The predictability and cut-off value of HOB for successful ECV were evaluated.RESULTS: Among the 139 patients, 114 (82%) had successful ECV. The adjusted odds ratio for multiparity, amniotic fluid index (AFI) >14 cm, and HOB >7.8 cm were 10.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57–74.94), 5.26 (95% CI, 1.06–26.19), and 10.50 (95% CI, 1.03–107.12), respectively. Areas under the curve (AUCs) for AFI, HOB, and parity were 0.66 (95% CI, 0.54–0.78), 0.74 (95% CI, 0.64–0.85), and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.62–0.76), respectively. HOB had the largest AUC, but there were no significant differences among the AUCs of other factors. The cut-off value of HOB was 6 cm.CONCLUSION: This study showed that the AUC of HOB was greater than that of parity and AFI, although it was not statistically significant. As HOB is a noninvasive and comprehensive marker to predict successful ECV, consideration of HOB would be helpful before conducting ECV. Further studies are needed.]]>
Amniotic Fluid ; Area Under Curve ; Breech Presentation ; Buttocks ; Female ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prospective Studies ; Pubic Symphysis ; Ultrasonography ; Version, Fetal

BACKGROUND: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is characterized by persistent head tilt toward the affected side. No consensus exists regarding the cause of this disorder. In this study, we analyzed various clinical factors in patients with CMT who were treated with surgical release. This analysis enabled us to identify potential causative factors of CMT and to establish a basis for surgical interventions. METHODS: In total, 584 patients who underwent surgical intervention for CMT from October 2007 to December 2016 were included in this study. Their demographic characteristics, birth-related factors, and clinical features were analyzed. RESULTS: Data from 525 patients were analyzed in this study after exclusion of those with insufficient information. Before birth, 31 patients (5.9%) were diagnosed with oligohydramnios, and 87 (16.6%) had a breech presentation. Seven (1.3%) cases of clavicle fracture and two (0.4%) cases of cephalohematoma were noted at birth. Before surgery, 397 patients (75.6%) underwent physiotherapy and 128 patients (24.4%) did not. The duration of physiotherapy ranged from 1 to 50 months (average, 6 months). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that 16.6% of the CMT patients presented in the breech position, which is a much higher rate than that observed in the general population (3%–4%). We hypothesize that being in the breech position as a fetus appears to exert a significant influence on shortening and fibrosis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Breech Presentation ; Clavicle ; Consensus ; Female ; Fetus ; Fibrosis ; Head ; Humans ; Oligohydramnios ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Torticollis

Currently, the rate of cesarean sections being performed in Korea is approximately 40%, with Korea ranking 4th among the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries with respect to cesarean deliveries. Breech presentation at term is an important indication for cesarean section among other factors, including medicolegal concerns and pregnancies in women of advanced maternal age. Term breech presentation is associated with a higher fetal mortality rate than that associated with a cephalic presentation. Therefore, in Korea, most of these women deliver by cesarean section to avoid the complications of vaginal breech delivery. However, cesarean section is itself associated with considerable obstetric morbidity and sometimes, mortality. External cephalic version (ECV) is a useful method to reduce the cesarean section rate in women with breech presentation and therefore to reduce the incidence of breech presentation at delivery. Studies have shown that routine use of ECV reduces the cesarean section rate by approximately two-thirds in term pregnancies with breech presentation. ECV is accepted as a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective method and is recommended by both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in all pregnancies with term breech presentation, if not contraindicated. In Korea, although most clinicians are aware of the option of ECV, their relative lack of experience in performing the procedure and fear of complications render them hesitant to perform ECV. This review is aimed at guiding obstetricians by describing the efficacy, safety concerns, and technical aspects of this procedure.
Breech Presentation ; Cardiotocography ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fetal Mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Maternal Age ; Methods ; Mortality ; Pregnancy ; Version, Fetal

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the learning curve for external cephalic version (ECV) using learning curve-cumulative sum (LC-CUSUM) analysis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving 290 consecutive cases between October 2013 and March 2017. We evaluated the learning curve for ECV on nulli and over para 1 group using LC-CUSUM analysis on the assumption that 50% and 70% of ECV procedures succeeded by description a trend-line of quadratic function with reliable R² values. RESULTS: The overall success rate for ECV was 64.8% (188/290), while the success rate for nullipara and over para 1 groups was 56.2% (100/178) and 78.6% (88/112), respectively. ‘H’ value, that the actual failure rate does not differ from the acceptable failure rate, was −3.27 and −1.635 when considering ECV success rates of 50% and 70%, respectively. Consequently, in order to obtain a consistent 50% success rate, we would require 57 nullipara cases, and in order to obtain a consistent 70% success rate, we would require 130 nullipara cases. In contrast, 8 to 10 over para 1 cases would be required for an expected success rate of 50% and 70% on over para 1 group. CONCLUSION: Even a relatively inexperienced physician can experience success with multipara and after accumulating experience, they will manage nullipara cases. Further research is required for LC-CUSUM involving several practitioners instead of a single practitioner. This will lead to the gradual implementation of standard learning curve guidelines for ECV.
Amniotic Fluid ; Breech Presentation ; Female ; Learning Curve* ; Learning* ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Version, Fetal*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the success rate following amnioinfusion in pregnant women undergoing external cephalic version (ECV) after initial failure. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 17 consecutive pregnant women from October 2013 to May 2015. ECV was performed with amnioinfusion after initial failure. The success rates of ECV and vaginal delivery, including pregnancy outcomes, were analyzed. RESULTS: ECV was performed at an average of 37.3±0.6 weeks of gestational age. Eight of seventeen patients were nulliparous. The estimated fetal weight was 2,688±279 g, and the amniotic fluid index was 6.4±2.6 cm. The overall success rate of ECV was 70.6% (12/17), and the success rates in nulliparous and multiparous women were 75.0% (6/8) and 66.7% (6/9), respectively. The rate of emergent cesarean section within 24 hours was 11.8% (2/17). Excluding one women who were lost to follow-up, the rate of normal vaginal delivery was 81.8% (9/11) among the women who had successful ECV. We did not observe any complications such as uterine rupture, placental abruption, or intrauterine fetal death. CONCLUSION: Although ECV with amnioinfusion after initial failure might help increase the success rate of ECV, it needs to be further evaluated in larger studies.
Abruptio Placentae ; Amniotic Fluid ; Breech Presentation ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Fetal Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnant Women* ; Prospective Studies ; Uterine Rupture ; Version, Fetal*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate obstetric outcomes of external cephalic version (ECV) performed at or near term. METHODS: Single pregnant woman with breech presentation at or near term (n=145), who experienced ECV by one obstetrician from November 2009 to July 2014 in our institution were included in the study. Maternal baseline characteristic and fetal ultrasonographic variables were checked before the procedure. After ECV, the delivery outcomes of the women were gathered. Variables affecting the success or failure of ECV were evaluated. RESULTS: Success rate of ECV was 71.0% (n=103). Four variables (parity, amniotic fluid index, fetal spine position and rotational direction) were observed to be in correlation with success or failure of ECV. In contactable 83 individuals experienced successful ECV, cesarean delivery rates were 18.1%, 28.9%, and 5.3% in total, nulliparas, and multiparas, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, ECV is proposed to be safe for both mother and her fetus. In addition, it is a valuable procedure that increases probability of vaginal delivery for women with breech presentation.
Amniotic Fluid ; Breech Presentation ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Spine ; Version, Fetal*

A 21-year old woman, G1P0, was referred for further prenatal check-up with sonographic examination revealing conjoined twins at 29 weeks age of gestation. The fetuses were in breech presentation positioned face-to-face with fusion at the level of the thoraces and gastric bubble suggestive of thoracoomphalopagus twins. There was a definite communication between the two fetal circulations at the ventricular level as seen on fetal echocardiogram with a single cardiac rhythm shared between the two hearts. Close antenatal and fetal surveillance was done during the entire pregnancy duration. The patient was counseled about therapeutic options and explained of the complexity of their cardiac anatomy. The twins were delivered by cesarean section at 35 weeks due to preterm labor and a neonatal 2D-echocardiogram was done shortly after to re-assess their cardiac anatomy. Since the results revealed a shared ventricle, the twins were considered inseparable. The family was apprised of their poor prognosis and opted for natural death to occur.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Breech Presentation ; Twins, Conjoined ; Gastric Balloon ; Cesarean Section ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Echocardiography ; Ultrasonography ; Fetus ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the maternal and neonatal outcome of vaginal and cesarean breech deliveries at Bulacan Medical Center

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-year retrospective descriptive study on all patients who delivered breech by vaginal or cesarean section from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. The maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS: There were 165 deliveries included during the study period. There were 83 cases of vaginal breech delivery and 82 cases of cesarean breech delivery. The incidence and risk of postpartum hemorrhage is higher among cesarean breech delivery (7%). Febrile morbidity (p=0.0223) is significantly lower for vaginal breech births. Cesarean breech delivery is correlated with longer hospital stay (p=<0.0001). There were no significant differences on the incidence of asphyxia (5% vs 2%, RR=0.51, RD=-2%, p=0.4141), birth trauma (2% vs 1%, RR=0.51, RD=1%, p=0.5673) and sepsis (12% vs 9%, RR=0.71, RD=-4%, p=0.4582) for vaginal or cesarean breech delivery. Prolonged hospital stay is 2.10 times more likely to occur for cesarean breech deliveries compared with vaginal breech deliveries. Thus, shorter hospital stay means lesser hospital costs for both mother and babies.

CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality between vaginal and cesarean breech delivery except for longer hospital stay and increased febrile morbidity for cesarean births. It is therefore safe to recommend vaginal breech delivery under hospital-specific guidelines for labor management such as strict selection of patients, high quality fetal monitoring and high level of competence among obstetricians to deliver breech.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Breech Presentation ; Cesarean Section ; PREGNANCY ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Outcome

"A turning round before birth" is a problem-based learning (PBL) case in Chinese medicine education. It focuses on malposition of fetus, through discussion on a series of questions, types and causative factors of malposition of fetus could be comprehended, diagnostic time and methods are set up, and manipulations of moxibustion at Zhiyin (BL 67) for malposition of fetus can be mastered. Mechanism on position correction is explored, and key points in application are clarified. Therefore, methods of position correction with easy, safe and effective manipulations can be popularized as well as the PBL methods in education of Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture ; education ; Breech Presentation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Pregnancy ; Problem-Based Learning