Relationship between Parental Head Circumference and Birth Type: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Aim: Is there an association between Parental Head Circumference and Birth Type? Background: A mismatch between fetal size, especially the fetal head, with the mother's pelvis, also known as cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD), can lead to obstructed labor and, ultimately, cesarean section. However, so far, not much focus has been done on the father's anthropometric indices along with maternal anthropometric indices, especially head circumference (HC) and pelvic dimensions in the birth type and prediction of cesarean risk. Objective: In this study, anthropometric parameters of parents, such as height, weight, HC, and pelvic circumference and their relationships with the birth type in the first pregnancy, have been studied. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on healthy couples over 18 years of age. The mothers were primiparous, which had their first and full pregnancies with natural vaginal delivery or cesarean section (without elective cesarean). A trained expert measured the anthropometric data of parents, and the babies ‘data were collected from the neonatal record. Result: 33 cases completed full-term pregnancy, and of these mothers, 23 (69.7%) experienced natural vaginal deliveries (NVD) and 10 (30.3%) cesarean section (CS). The mean of the parent's HC in the CS group was significantly higher than those in the NVD group. Conclusion: The results showed that an increased average size of the parent's HC, especially in the mother with a smaller pelvic size, can logically increase the risk of cesarean section.