Cephalo-pelvic disproportion exists when the capacity of the pelvis is inadequate  to allow the fetus to negotiate the birth canal. This may be due to a small pelvis, a nongynecoid pelvic formation, a large fetus, an unfavorable orientation of the fetus, or a combination of these factors. Certain medical conditions may distort pelvic bones, such as rickets or a pelvic fracture, and lead to CPD.

Transverse diagonal measurement has been proposed as a predictive method

Diagnosis of CPD may be made when there is failure to progress, but not all cases of prolonged labor are the result of CPD. Use of ultrasound to measure the size of the fetus in the womb is controversial, as these methods are often inaccurate and may lead to unnecessary caesarian section; a trial of labor is often recommended even if size of the fetus is estimated to be large.

In the case of a fetus being too large, some obstetricians recommend induction of labor for earlier delivery. Diagnosis of CPD in active labor will usually result in a Caesarian section.

Cephalopelvic disproportion. (2016, May 29). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 08:30, May 29, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cephalopelvic_disproportion&oldid=722628969