Fetal Complication After External Cephalic Version at Term: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

We report a case of fetal distress following external cephalic version at term, which resulted in delivery by emergency cesarean section of an anemic, acidemic infant. The characteristics of the fetal heart rate tracing, the clinical findings, and a positive Kleihauer-Betke test after delivery suggest that fetomatemal hemorrhage or placental abruption was the most likely cause of the fetal distress. We review the incidence of the reported fetal complications after external version.

Key Words:

• external cephalic version
• fetal distress
• fetomaternal hemorrhage
• placental abruption