The impact of maternal body mass index on external cephalic version success

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and success of ECV.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of singleton live births in the USA from 2010 to 2014 using birth certificate data. Patients were assigned a BMI category according to standard WHO classification. Comparisons of success of ECV between the BMI categories were made using chi-square analysis with normal BMI as the reference group. Cochran–Armitage test was performed to look for a trend of decreasing success of ECV as BMI increased. The odds for successful ECV were estimated using multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusting for possible confounders.

Results: A total of 51,002 patients with documented ECV were available for analysis. There was a decreased success rate for ECV as BMI increased (p < .01). Women with a BMI of 40 kg/m² or greater had a 58.5% success rate of ECV; women with a normal BMI had 65.0% success rate of ECV. Multivariate analyses demonstrated significant decrease in success of ECV in women with BMI of 40 kg/m² or greater (OR 0.621, CI 0.542–0.712). Among women with BMI of 40 kg/m² or greater with successful ECV, 59.5% delivered vaginally. In contrast, 81.0% of women with normal BMI and successful ECV delivered vaginally.

Conclusions: Morbidly obese women have decreased success rate of ECV as BMI increases and decreased vaginal delivery rates after successful ECV.

Keywords:

• External cephalic version
• breech
• body mass index
• obesity

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.