Welcome to the blog! Today, we’re discussing a fascinating new finding about breech babies: research has suggested that they may be smarter than babies who present in a cephalic position.
This research comes from a 2017 study, which found that breech-presented infants had lower mean scores if delivered by cesarean compared with vaginal breech delivery. It also found that cephalic-presented males scored lower if their mothers had a cesarean delivery instead of a vaginal delivery.
Furthermore, another study conducted in 2020 found an association between breech presentation and ASD among children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.05–1.58).
So what does this all mean? Well, it seems that babies who present in the breech position may have higher cognitive functioning than those who present in the cephalic position. This could be due to the fact that breech babies are more lkely to be born vaginally, which is associated with better outcomes for both mother and baby.
It’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that every baby born in a breech presentation will be smarter than one born in a cephalic position – but it does suggest that on average, there may be some cognitive differences between the two groups of babies.
Of course, if your baby is presenting in the breech position you should always follow your doctor’s advice – but it’s certainly interesting to know this potential benefit of having a baby in this particular position!
Are Breech Babies Intelligent?
It is difficult to make a general statement about a baby’s intelligence based solely on their presentation during birth. However, studies have shown that infants who are breech-presented at birth may have lower Apgar scores than cephalic-presented babies, which can be an indicator of their overall health in the first few minutes of life. Cesarean delivery of breech-presented infants has also been associated with lower mean scores compared to vaginal breech delivery. Meanwhile, cephalic-presented males have been found to score lower if delivered via cesarean instad of vaginal delivery.
The long-term effects of these differences on intelligence and development are unknown, but it is important to note that many breech babies go on to lead healthy and happy lives. Furthermore, many adults who were born as breech babies reported no significant developmental delays or learning difficulties later in life. Ultimately, the intelligence level of any baby is determined by a variety of factors, including genetics and environment, and should not be judged solely based on their presentation at birth.
Source: breechwithoutborders.org
Are Breech Babies Unique?
No, breech babies are not considered “special.” They are simply babies who are in a different position from the normal baby before birth. This is oftn referred to as a “breech presentation” because their bottom is pointing down instead of their head. Breech presentations occur in approximately 3-4% of pregnancies and can be caused by a variety of factors, including the size and shape of the uterus, the baby’s position in the uterus, or if there is an excess amount of amniotic fluid present.
Breech babies may require special attention during delivery and after birth due to potential complications associated with this presentation. For example, if the umbilical cord slips down during labor it may become compressed, leading to decreased oxygen supply to the baby. Additionally, breech babies may suffer from conditions such as shoulder dystocia where their shoulders become stuck during delivery. In these cases doctors may need to use special maneuvers or tools such as vacuum extraction or forceps in order to complete the delivery safely.
Despite these potential risks, most breech babies are born healthy and normal with no long-term health issues. Parents should discuss all possible delivery options with their doctor so that they can make an informed decision about how best to proceed with a breech presentation.
Long-Term Effects of Breech Births on Infants
Generally, babies born breech do not have any long-term problems. Most babies born breech are healthy and grow up normally. While some studies have found a slightly higher risk of developmental delays in those born breech, most of these delays were mild and could be attributed to other factors such as the mother’s age or preterm delivery (Grosen et al., 2017). Additionally, there is no evidence that suggests that beng born breech increases the risk of health problems later in life. It is important to remember that each baby is unique and will develop differently regardless of their position during birth.
The Connection Between Breech Babies and Autism
The current evidence suggests that there may be an association between breech presentation and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children. A pooled estimate of the odds ratio (OR) from five studies showed that there was a significant association between breech presentation and ASD among children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.05–1.58). Although there was some mild heterogeneity between the studies reported in the unadjusted model, this suggests that breech babies may be at an increased risk for developing ASD compared to other babies. However, it is important to note that this association does not necessarily mean that all breech babies will develop ASD, but it does suggest that there may be a connection worth exploring frther in future research.
Gender of Breech Babies
Breech babies are more likely to be female than male. Studies have shown that among breech presentations, there is a slight excess of females born compared to males. This difference is thought to be influenced by the baby’s birth weight, with heavier babies tending to be born in head presentations and lighter babies more likely to be born in breech presentations. While there is a slightly higher proportion of female breech babies, the difference between genders is quite small.
Source: metromidwifery.com
The Ratio of Boys to Girls Who Are Breech
The study of singleton breech births in Hungary between 1996 and 2011 found that girls were significantly more likely to be born breech than boys. This was determined based on the total number of breech births, which amounted to 10,330. Of those births, 6,211 (60%) were female babies and 4,119 (40%) were male babies. This indicates that girls are more likely to be born breech than boys.
Potential Health Risks for Babies in Breech Position
A breech baby can have a variety of potential problems during birth. The baby may be unable to pass through the cervix because its body is not stretching it enough for the head to fit through easily. This can lead to an impaction, whre the baby’s head or shoulders become stuck in the mother’s pelvis. Additionally, there is a risk of umbilical cord prolapse, where the umbilical cord slips out of the uterus before the baby and becomes compressed by the weight of the baby in its descent down the birth canal. This can be life-threatening to the baby as it can cause a lack of oxygen and nutrients. In some cases, a caesarean section may be necessary to safely deliver a breech baby.
Does a Family History of Breech Babies Affect Risk?
Yes, breech babies appear to run in families. A recent study suggests that there is a genetic factor at play when it comes to the likelihood of a baby being born bottom first. The study found that if either or both of the parents were themselves born in the breech position, then their baby is twice as likely to be born in the same position. This suggests that genes can pass on a predisposition for breech birth from parent to child. However, further research will be needed to better understand the exact relationship between genetics and breech births.
The Size of Breech Babies
Breech babies are usually smaller than vertex babies at birth. This is because breech delivery can cause mild skull deformation in some cases, which affects the size of the biparietal diameter (BPD). In a study of 100 consecutive term breech babies, it was found that the mean BPD was smaller than that of the vertex group, indicating that breech babies tend to be smaller. However, it should be noted that the actual size difference between breech and vertex babies can vary greatly and is not always significant.
Frequency of Breech Babies
A breech baby is uncommon, occurring in only 3-4% of term pregnancies. It is more common before term, with 25% of babies in a breech position before 28 weeks. However, by 32 weeks, only 7% of babies are still in the breech position. In the United States, most breech babies are delivered via planned Cesarean section.
Causes of Breech Position in Babies
Babies can sometimes be breech because of the position of the uterus. The uterus contains amniotic fluid, which is a cushion for the baby to move around in. If there is too much or too little amniotic fluid, meaning the baby has extra room to move around in or not enough fluid to move around in, this can cause them to be breech. Another possible reason is if the woman has an abnormally shaped uterus or has oher complications, such as fibroids in the uterus. In some cases, the umbilical cord can also be wrapped around the baby’s neck, which can cause them to flip into a breech position and remain that way until birth. It is important for pregnant women to discuss any concerns with their obstetrician so they can receive appropriate care and advice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, studies have shown that breech-presented infants may have lower mean scores if delivered by cesarean compared to those delivered vaginally. Additionally, cephalic-presented males score lower if their mothers had a cesarean delivery instead of a vaginal delivery. Although there is an increased risk of ASD among those with breech presentation, these findings should be taken with caution due to the mild heterogeneity among the studies. Therefore, it is important to note that the intelligence of a breech baby may not be affected by their mode of delivery and that regardless of presentation, all babies have the potential to be as smart or smarter than other babies.
