Key result
This review discusses the risk factors associated with shoulder dystocia, the utility of antenatal ultrasound for predicting fetal macrosomia, and controversies in its management.
This paper reviews risk factors, the utility of antenatal ultrasound for predicting macrosomia, and management controversies regarding shoulder dystocia.
Shoulder dystocia prediction and management remain debated; leaves open optimal ultrasound thresholds and protocols pending higher-level evidence.
Shoulder dystocia is an unpredictable obstetrical emergency that results in serious complications especially to the neonate. Such complications include fracture of the clavicle, brachial plexus injury, fracture of the humerus and asphyxia.1-4 The incidence of shoulder dystocia appears to be increasing5 and its unpredictability continues to be the nightmare of the obstetrician. The following is a review of risk factors which are associated with shoulder dystocia, a critical review of the usefulness of antenatal ultrasound in the prediction of the macrosomic fetus and a discussion of the controversies surrounding the management of shoulder dystocia.
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Yeo et al. (1995) conducted a review in Shoulder dystocia. This review discusses the risk factors associated with shoulder dystocia, the utility of antenatal ultrasound for predicting fetal macrosomia, and controversies in its management.
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