Relationship between Abnormal CTG Findings and Perinatal Outcome

Abstract

Background: Continuous monitoring of fetal well-being through cardiotocography (CTG) is a standard practice in antenatal care, aiming to detect and manage potential complications. However, interpreting CTG patterns requires expertise and understanding, especially in diverse clinical settings such as those in Bangladesh. Objective: To assess normal and abnormal CTG patterns and their implications for perinatal outcomes in a tertiary level hospital in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on CTG recordings of pregnant women admitted to the antenatal unit of a tertiary level hospital in Bangladesh from January 2024 to June 2024. CTG pattern was abnormal based on established criteria. Perinatal outcomes including fetal distress, neonatal outcomes, and obstetric interventions were recorded and analyzed in relation to CTG findings. The aims of the study were to evaluate the abnormal cardiotocography (CTG) patterns during the antenatal period and their impact on perinatal outcomes at a tertiary level hospital in Bangladesh. Results: The incidence of fetal distress was significantly higher in cases with abnormal CTG patterns compared to normal patterns (p<0.05). Furthermore, neonatal outcomes such as Apgar scores <7 at 1 minute and 5 minutes were more prevalent in pregnancies with abnormal CTG patterns. Among the abnormal CTGs groups, who had more risk factors abnormal outcomes were more. Most of the patients in both the normal and abnormal CTGs groups were associated with DM. In abnormal CTGs groups pre-eclampsia, PROM Many pregnant women had other risk factors associated with DM. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of accurately assessing CTG patterns in the antenatal period for predicting perinatal outcomes. The identification of abnormal CTG patterns can aid in timely interventions to prevent adverse outcomes for both the mother and the newborn.