The monitoring of high-risk pregnancy by non-stressed antepartum cardiotocography
Kulkarni, S.; Matadial, L.
West Indian Medical Journal 34(3): 190-193
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-3144 PMID: 4072183 Document Number: 251555
One hundred and thirty-eight patients suspected to have utero-placental insufficiency and hence at 'high risk' had 420 tests performed, representing a preliminary experience with non-stressed cardiotocography in antepartum foetal surveillance. A ten-point scoring system based on base-line foetal heart rate, foetal movements, base-line variability and foetal heart rate response to foetal movements and Braxton-Hicks contractions was used to analyse the test results. Perinatal morbidity as evidenced by foetal distress in labour, number of operative deliveries, babies with low Apgar scores (< 5) and babies below the 10th percentile for birth weight was significantly higher with test scores of six or less. The perinatal mortality rate was 9/1000 with a score of 7-10 as against a rate of 120/1000 with a test score below seven. The results compare favourably with other studies, and confirm the usefulness of this technique in monitoring foetal welfare.