Abstract
We evaluated the clinical significance of late decelerations (LD) of intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring to detect low pH (< 7.1) in low-risk pregnancies. We selected two secondary and two tertiary-level institutions where 10,030 women delivered. Among them, 5522 were low-risk pregnancies. The last 2 hours of FHR patterns before delivery were interpreted according to the guidelines of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The correlation between the incidence of LD (occasional, < 50%; recurrent, > or = 50%) and severity (reduced baseline FHR accelerations and variability) of LD, and low pH (< 7.1) were evaluated. Statistical analyses included a contingency table with chi2 and the Fisher test, and one-way analysis of variance with the Bonferroni/Dunn test. In the 5522 low-risk pregnancies, 301 showed occasional LD and 99 showed recurrent LD. Blood gases and pH values deteriorated as the incidence of LD increased and as baseline accelerations or variability was decreased. Positive predictive value for low pH (< 7.1) was exponentially elevated from 0% at no deceleration, 1% in occasional LD, and > 50% in recurrent LD with no baseline FHR accelerations and reduced variability. In low-risk pregnancies, information on LD combined with acceleration and baseline variability enables us to predict the potential incidence of fetal acidemia.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.