Malpresentations (breech, face, brow)

Malpresentations (breech, face, brow)

Malpresentations (breech, face, brow)

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Malpresentations - An Overview

  • Definition: Any fetal presentation other than vertex (occiput anterior), where the fetal head is well-flexed. Occurs in ~5% of term labors.
  • Etiology: Results from abnormal fetal lie (longitudinal, transverse, oblique) or attitude (flexion/extension of head).
  • Core Types:
    • Breech: Buttocks or feet first (~3-4% of term pregnancies).
    • Face: Fully extended head, face presents.
    • Brow: Partially extended head.
    • Shoulder: Transverse lie.
  • Diagnosis: Leopold maneuvers, vaginal exam, confirmed via ultrasound.

⭐ Most breech presentations (frank, complete, footling) diagnosed before term will spontaneously convert to vertex by the onset of labor.

Fetal Head Presentations: Vertex, Sinciput, Brow, Face

Breech Presentation - Bottoms-Up Baby

  • Definition: Fetal buttocks or feet present at the pelvic inlet.
  • Types:
    • Frank: Hips flexed, knees extended (most common, ~65%).
    • Complete: Hips & knees flexed.
    • Incomplete/Footling: One or both feet extended below the buttocks.
  • Risk Factors: Prematurity, multiple gestation, polyhydramnios, uterine anomalies (e.g., fibroids, septum), fetal anomalies (e.g., anencephaly).

Fetal Malpresentations: Breech, Face, Brow

  • Management Algorithm:

Cord Prolapse: Highest risk with footling breech presentation due to poor cervical effacement and a non-engaged presenting part.

Face & Brow - Head Held High

  • Pathophysiology: Fetal head is extended, preventing flexion.
    • Face: Full extension. Denominator: Mentum (chin).
    • Brow: Halfway extension. Largest diameter presents.
  • Diagnosis: Vaginal exam reveals facial features (mouth, nose) or brow (frontal bones, orbital ridges).

Fetal Head Presentations and Diameters

  • Management Flow:

Exam Tip: For face presentation, delivery route depends entirely on the chin's position. If Mentum Posterior (chin towards maternal sacrum), vaginal delivery is impossible due to hyperextension of the fetal neck. It is an absolute indication for C-section.

High-Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Breech presentation is the most common malpresentation; consider external cephalic version (ECV) at >37 weeks.
  • Frank breech (hips flexed, knees extended) is the most frequent type.
  • Face presentation with a mentum anterior position may allow for vaginal delivery.
  • Mentum posterior face and persistent brow presentations are absolute indications for C-section.
  • Brow presentation is unstable and has the largest anteroposterior diameter, obstructing labor.
  • Ultrasound is definitive for diagnosis.

Practice Questions: Malpresentations (breech, face, brow)

Test your understanding with these related questions

You have been entrusted with the task of finding the causes of low birth weight in infants born in the health jurisdiction for which you are responsible. In 2017, there were 1,500 live births and, upon further inspection of the birth certificates, 108 of these children had a low birth weight (i.e. lower than 2,500 g), while 237 had mothers who smoked continuously during pregnancy. Further calculations have shown that the risk of low birth weight in smokers was 14% and in non-smokers, it was 7%, while the relative risk of low birth weight linked to cigarette smoking during pregnancy was 2%. In other words, women who smoked during pregnancy were twice as likely as those who did not smoke to deliver a low-weight infant. Using this data, you are also asked to calculate how much of the excess risk for low birth weight, in percentage terms, can be attributed to smoking. What is the attributable risk percentage for smoking leading to low birth weight?

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Flashcards: Malpresentations (breech, face, brow)

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Placental _____ is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (decidua) prior to delivery of fetus

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Placental _____ is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (decidua) prior to delivery of fetus

abruption

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