182 children born in breech presentation were investigated at the age of 5 to 6 years with regard to late morbidity after vaginal delivery and caesarean section. From case historical data, development in early childhood was assessed comparing the criteria of walking, speaking and "dryness". An attempt was made to find a relation between neonatal data and late morbidity. 156 children (85,7%) had a birthweight of not less than 2 500 g. 26 children (14,3%) were preterm and/or small for date. 80 term babies and 8 preterm and/or small for date babies were delivered by caesarean section. The birth weight of the preterm and/or small for date babies was 2 212,5 +/- 286,5 g for those delivered by caesarean section and 2 070,5 +/- 312,0 g for those delivered vaginally. The investigation program consisted of the following items: A. Assessment of intellectual development by means of the Raven-test, B. Examination of total and minute motor activity by means of the Rostock- Oseretzky -scale, C. Assessment of concentration abilities according to Koch- Pleissner . Statistically significant advantages in all items investigated were found in the group of term as well as preterm and/or small for date babies delivered by caesarean section. Except for intellectual development, analogous results were found for term delivered babies. Concerning development in early childhood, as reflected in walking, speaking and "dryness", there were no statistically significant differences between children delivered vaginally and those delivered by caesarean section. No relation could be found between neonatal data (Apgar-score, pH-value in the umbilical artery) and late morbidity. Problems of birth management are discussed.