Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Face and brow presentation in northern Jordan, over a decade of experience

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Malpresentation is a deviation from the normal presentation, which occurs in approximately 5% of labours (Seeds and Cefalo in Clin Obstet Gynaecol 25:145–156, 1982). The commonest form of malpresentation at delivery is breech presentation followed by face and brow presentation.

Objectives

To review the incidence and management of face and brow presentation in north of Jordan.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective review of the experience of face and brow presentation deliveries in the two main civil hospitals in north of Jordan between 1995 and 2005.

Results

The incidence of face and brow presentation was 1 in 813 and 1 in 1,689 deliveries, respectively. There was no significant increase in the incidence of prematurity nor very low birth weight and no higher incidence of postmaturity among those delivered by face or brow in the same period. All the foetuses presenting by the brow and by face (mentoposterior) and only 16.7 % of foetuses presenting by face (mentoanterior) were delivered by caesarian section.

Conclusion

The incidence of face and brow presentation was 1 in 813 and 1 in 1,689 deliveries, respectively. All the babies presenting by brow presentation did undergo caesarean section. The management of face and brow presentation is heading towards a safe delivery and not merely to accomplish vaginal delivery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Seeds W, Cefalo RC (1982) Malpresentations. Clin Obstet Gynaecol 25:145–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hellman LM, Epperson JWW, Connally F (1950) Brow and face presentation; experience of Johns Hopkins Hospital 1896–1948. Am J Obstet Gynecol 59:831–842

    Google Scholar 

  3. Jacobson L, Johnson CE (1962) Brow and face presentations. Am J Obstet Gynecol 84:1881–1886

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Cruikshank DP, White CA (1973) Obstetric malpresentations: 20-years experience. Am J Obstet Gynecol 116:1097–1104

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Cruikshank DP, Cruikshank RN (1981) Face and brow presentation. A review. Clin Obstet Gynecol 24:333–351

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Reddoch W (1948) Face presentation; a study of 160 cases. Am J Obstet Gynecol 56:86–89

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Alchalabi H, Alchalabi H, Abu-Heija AT, El-Sunna E, Zayed F, Badria LF, Obeidat A (1999) Meconium-stained amniotic fluid in term pregnancies—a clinical view. J Obstet Gynaecol 19(3):262–264

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bhal PS, Davies NJ, Chung T (1998) A population study of face and brow presentation. J Obstet Gynaecol 18(3):231–235

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Schmitz HE, Cucco U, Pavlic RS (1959) Face presentation. Obstet Gynecol 13:641–647

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Posner AC, Cohen S (1951) An analysis of 45 face presentation. Surg Gynecol Obstet 77:618

    Google Scholar 

  11. Light FP (1950) Discussion of Hellman et al. Face and brow presentation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 59:840

    Google Scholar 

  12. Morris N (1953) Face and brow presentation. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Emp 60(1):44–51

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Magid B, Gillespie CF (1957) Face and brow presentations. Obstet Gynecol 9(4):450–457

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Posner AC, Friedman S, Posner LB (1957) Modern trends in management of face and brow presentations. Surg Gynecol Obstet 104:485–490

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Posner LB, Rubin E, Posner AC (1963) Face and brow presentations. A continuing study. Obstet Gynecol 21:745–749

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Prevedourakis CN (1966) Face presentation: an analysis of 163 cases. Am J Obstet Gynecol 94:1092–1097

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Lenehan PM, Mcdonald D, Turner M (1986) Face and brow presentation. J Obstet Gynaecol 7:102–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Shaffer BL, Cheng YW, Vargas JE, Laros RK Jr, Caughey AB (2006) Face presentation: predictors and delivery route. Am J Obstet Gynecol 194(5):e10–e12, Epub 21 April 2006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Duff P (1981) Diagnosis and management of face presentation. Obstet Gynecol 57:105–112

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Rudolph SJ (1947) Face presentation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 54:987–993

    Google Scholar 

  21. Reinke T (1953) Face presentation; a review of 94 cases. Am J Obstet Gynecol 66:1185–1190

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Schwartz Z, Dgani R, Lancet M, Kessler I (1986) Face presentation. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynecol 26:172–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Ingerslev M (1951) Brow presentation; series from three obstetric units. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 30:278–307

    Google Scholar 

  24. Salzmann B, Soled M, Gilmour T (1960) Face presentation. Obstet Gynecol 16:106–112

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Ingolfson A (1969) Brow presentation. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 48:486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Benedetti TJ, Lowenshon RI, Truscott AM (1980) Face presentation at term. Obstet Gynecol 55:199–202

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Ducarme G, Ceccaldi PF, Chesnoy V, Robinet G, Gabriel R (2006) Face presentation: retrospective study of 32 cases at term. Gynecol Obstet Fertil 34(5):393–396, Epub 21 April 2006

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the staff at Princess Badeea Hospital and at King Abdullah University Hospital. We are very grateful to other colleagues and residents in both hospitals especially Dr. Alia Adwan who helped in attaining the data needed for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

    F. Zayed, Z. Amarin, B. Obeidat, N. Obeidat, H. Alchalabi & I. Lataifeh

  2. P. O. Box 962106, Amman, 11196, Jordan

    F. Zayed

Authors
  1. F. Zayed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Z. Amarin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. B. Obeidat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. N. Obeidat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. H. Alchalabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. I. Lataifeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Zayed.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zayed, F., Amarin, Z., Obeidat, B. et al. Face and brow presentation in northern Jordan, over a decade of experience. Arch Gynecol Obstet 278, 427–430 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-008-0600-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-008-0600-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation