Quality and effectiveness of electronic fetal monitoring

Czech version

Authors: K. Biringer; J. Danko
Authors‘ workplace: Gynekologicko-pôrodnícka klinika JLF UK a UNM, Martin, prednosta prof. MUDr. J. Danko, CSc.
Published in: Ceska Gynekol 2011; 76(6): 481-484
Category: Original Article

Overview

Objective:
To evaluate effectiveness of electronic fetal monitoring methods during labor.

Design:
A case series study.

Setting:
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Slovak Republic.

Methods:
We followed 112 fetuses with simultaneous continuous monitoring (cardiotocography (CTG), intrapartal fetal pulse oxymetry (IFPO), and analysis of ST segment in fetal electrocardiogram (STAN)) during labor. We determined the effective time for every diagnostic tool. Statistics: histograms, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Spearman’s coefficient; significance (alfa): p<0.05.

Results:
The effective time decreased significantly in a row: CTG > STAN > IFPO (94.8%±15.1% vs. 90.4%±18.3% vs. 87.4%±21.2%). STAN was the most effective tool in the second stage of labor (91.3%±9.4%).

Conclusion:
The most effective fetal monitoring tool is CTG. However STAN is the best diagnostic method in the second stage of labor, because of its bio-signal quality.

Key words:
fetal hypoxia, cardiotocography, pulse oxymetry, STAN, electronic fetal monitoring.

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