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