BMJ  2006;333 (16 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7568.0-c

Palpation is poor at spotting non-cephalic presentation

Clinical examination with palpation is not sensitive enough for the detection and timely management of non-cephalic presentation in late pregnancy. In a cross sectional analytical study, Nassar and colleagues (p 578) compared clinical examination with the standard of ultrasonography in more than 1600 women with a singleton pregnancy between 35 and 37 weeks' gestation attending antenatal clinics. Ultrasound identified non-cephalic presentation in 8% of women. Palpation had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 95%. The positive and negative predictive value were 55% and 97%.

Credit: DEEPLIGHT PRODS/SPL

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