Comparative Study of Nonstress Test and Fetal Acoustic Stimulation Test in Assessment of Fetal Well-being

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives To compare and evaluate the role of nonstress test and acoustic stimulation test on the perinatal outcome. Materials and methods Around 100 patients above 34 weeks of gestation were selected and subjected to nonstress test (NST) and acoustic stimulation test (AST) on weekly basis to find whether fetus is reactive or nonreactive, and followed till delivery to find out the perinatal outcome. Results When comparison of reactive NST and reactive AST was done, the incidence of meconium staining was 8 (9%) and 9 (9.6%), clinical fetal distress 16 (18.8%) and 18 (19.3%), operative interference for fetal distress 17 (19.3%) and 20 (21.5%), low Apgar score at 5 minutes 1 (1.1%) and 1 (1%), neonatal deaths 3 (3.3%) and 3 (3.2%), low birth weight 27 (30.6%) and 29 (31.1%), and NICU admission 13 (14.7%) and 13 (13.9%) respectively. While the incidence of meconium staining was 4 (33.3%) and 3 (42.8%), clincal fetal distress 8 (66.6%) and 6 (85.7%), operative interference 6 (50%) and 3 (42.8%), low Apgar score at 5 minutes 3 (25%) and 3 (42.8%), neonatal death 4 (33.3%) and 4 (57.1%), low birth weight 7 (58.3%) and 5 (71.4%) respectively in nonreactive NST and nonreactive AST groups.