Validity of Intrapartum Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Abstract

There were 423 consecutive pregnant women underwent intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring at Srinagarind Hospital from January 1985 to December 1986 . Of these 423 tests during the study period 421 (99.5%) were available for study.

There was no stillbirth in this series. The incidence of birth asphyxia was 9.1% while the perinatal death rate was 12 per 1000 livebirths. The accuracy of the test in predicing birth asphyxia was 87.4%. Those subjects with positive results had relative risks of 5.3 and 2.6 in developing birth asphyxia and perinatla death respectively.

The results of intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring at Srinagarind Hospital is valid. It can be used to select pregnant women at higher risk in developing fetal distress and birth asphyxia so that special care and appropriate intervention can be taken.