Performing ultrasound scans late in pregnancy helps women avoid undiagnosed breech presentation of their babies, translating to improved clinical outcomes, lower rates of emergency cesarean sections (C-sections), and perhaps even lower healthcare costs, according to a study published April 16 in PLOS Medicine. The findings are good news not only for women and their babies but also for the healthcare system, wrote a team led by David Wästlund of the University of Cambridge in the U.K.
"According to our estimates, universal late pregnancy ultrasound in nulliparous women would virtually eliminate undiagnosed breech presentation, would be expected to reduce fetal mortality in breech presentation, and would be cost-effective if fetal presentation could be assessed for less than 19.80 pounds [$25.95 U.S.] per woman," the group wrote. Fetal breech presentation increases the risk of…
