Signalqualität der nicht invasiven fetalen Elektrokardiografie (EKG) unter der Geburt

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: During labour non-invasive foetal heart rate monitoring is a routine method for the assessment of foetal well-being. This study examines an alternative assessment by foetal ECG during labour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 pregnant women admitted for delivery gave informed consent and were connected to the Monica AN24™. Foetal and maternal ECG signals, noise and patient satisfaction were evaluated during the 1st and 2nd stages of labour. RESULTS: The median gestational age was 40 weeks (range 34-42). The women had a median BMI of 28.4 (range 24.0-49.5) and the median birth weight was 3400 g (range 1915-4470 g). The median total recording time was five hours and 18 minutes (range 38 minutes - 74 hours and 6 minutes). There was a statistical increase of noise from the beginning of the 1st stage of labour to the end of 1st stage of labour (p = 0.03) and until the end of the 2nd stage (p = 0.025). However, foetal and maternal ECG signal quality remained constant throughout labour. No correlation was identified between foetal and maternal ECG, noise and BMI as well as foetal birth weight. CONCLUSION: The results show that foetal and maternal ECG signal stays constant throughout labour. Even though noise significantly increases throughout labour, especially during the crowning phase, the foetal and maternal ECG signal can still be differentiated.