Breech Birth May Be Determined by Genes

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Janet Hardy, an assistant professor of obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, agrees that knowing the parents' history of breech delivery may help predict the risk of their child having a breech presentation.

"Little is known about risk factors for breech presentation, and the idea that birth position might be inherited from either or both parents is novel," said Hardy, who authored an accompanying editorial in the journal.

"If these results hold true, further research may help us understand what trait is being passed from parent to child," she added. "Assessing the presence or absence of all potential risk factors for breech presentation, including the parents' own birth positions, may alert the clinician and patient to prepare for a possible breech delivery."

More information

For more on breech births, visit the American Academy of Family Physicians.