Effect of route of delivery on periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage in the low-birth-weight fetus with a breech presentation.

Ninety-two consecutive cases of breech presentation with birth weights less than or equal to 2,000 g were examined for early periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage (PV/IVH) and neonatal demise. The total group and subgroups, based on birth weight and gestational age, showed significantly less early PV/IVH and perinatal mortality if delivered by cesarean section. There is a need for a prospective, randomized, multicentric study of this subject.