Potential Risk Factors for Predicting Fetal Shoulder Dystocia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess maternal, obstetric, and fetal risk factors, as well as shoulder dystocia (SD) maneuvers and perinatal outcomes, in the management of SD. Materials and Methods: This descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 66 documented patient cases of SD from a pool of 36 390 singleton vaginal deliveries. This review was based on hospital deliveries that occurred between 2017 and 2022. In addition, 201 control cases were selected from a computer-assisted randomization program, which were based pregnancy, delivery, fetal, and newborn outcome data. Regression analysis was used to elucidate the relationship between SD and associated risk factors. Results: The SD group exhibited a significantly higher mean age ( P < .05) compared with control group. Notably, the abdominal circumference (AC) measurement (sensitivity = 81.8% and specificity = 91.0%) and birth weight (sensitivity = 62.4% and specificity = 91.5%) emerged as the most significant risk factors for SD. Conclusion: These retrospective findings may suggest that aside from birth weight and AC measurements, other risk factors for SD demonstrate low sensitivity. This work also underscored the unpredictable nature of this obstetric complication.