Antepartum fetal heart rate testing. IV. The nonstress test as a primary approach
Keegan, K.A.; Paul, R.H.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 136(1): 75-80
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9378 PMID: 6444346 Document Number: 163530
During a 1 yr period from July 1, 1977-June 30, 1978, 1877 nonstress tests (NST) were performed in 895 patients. Criterion for a reactive test was 2 accelerations associated with fetal movement in 1 of 2 20 min periods. Fetuses with nonreactive patterns were stimulated by abdominal wall manipulation. A total of 1644 tests demonstrated reactive patterns and 229 tests were nonreactives (NR); 146 NR were followed by contraction stress tests (CST). During 75 CST the pattern became reactive and the test was terminated. Of 71 completed CST's, 17 were abnormal (24%). There were 634 patients delivered with 1 wk of an NST-CST. Of 62 patients with NR tests, 17 underwent cesarean section for fetal distress as compared to 11 of 572 patients with reactive patterns.