Has an increased cesarean section rate for term breech delivery reduced the incidence of birth asphyxia, trauma, and death?

Intravenous salbutamol for external cephalic version

“…Breech vaginal delivery has long been perceived to be associated with increased risks to the neonate [2], and cesarean deliveries were commonly performed to avoid the complications associated with these breech births [3]. The Term Breech Trial [4] provided strong evidence that planned cesarean birth for fetuses in the term breech position is associated with reduced neonatal morbidity in the immediate postpartum period, and has led to guidance favoring planned cesarean delivery for breech presentation at term [5].…”

Perinatal mortality in breech presentations as compared to vertex presentations in singleton pregnancies: an analysis based upon 57 819 computer-registered pregnancies in The Netherlands

“…However, Green et al (1982) found only a suggestion of decreased trauma and mortality as a result of caesarean section, while Effer et al (1983) found no differences in mortality and morbidity between infants delivered vaginally and those delivered by caesarean section when subgroups of comparable birthweight were analysed. In this study the incidences of stillbirth and neonatal mortality were higher in the breech group than in the vertex group (Tables V and VI).…”

“…However, breech delivery by caesarean section requires considerable manipulation of the fetus, often resulting in injury similar to that seen at vaginal delivery (Grimovsky and Paul, 1982); an increased caesarean section rate for term breech delivery does not seem to reduce the unfavourable outcome significantly (Green et al, 1982), and Effer et al (1983) found that neonatal mortality was not definitely different in infants delivered vaginally. Also De Jong and Stolte (1981) found no hazardous influence on the integrity of the central nervous system in vaginal delivery at term breech presentation compared to vertex.…”

Indications des césariennes à l’Hôpital de Zone de Nyon (1973–1982)

“…En cas d'impossibilité ou d'échec, pratiquer une épreuve de travail dans des cas sélectionnés par des critères standardisés [1,2,4,5], Pour assurer ces buts, une étude prospective multicentrique devrait voir le jour en Suisse, qui contribuerait à une meilleure économie des moyens en obstétrique, tout en sauvegardant l'acquis, c'est-à-dire la chute de la morbidité périnatale.…”