Performance of IOTA Simple Rules, Simple Rules risk assessment, ADNEX model and O-RADS in differentiating between benign and malignant adnexal lesions in North American women.

OBJECTIVES: To apply the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) Simple Rules (SR), the IOTA Simple Rules risk assessment (SRR), the IOTA Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model and the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) in the same cohort of North American patients and to compare their performance in preoperative discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal lesions. METHODS: This was a single-center diagnostic accuracy study, performed between March 2018 and February 2021, which included 150 women with an adnexal lesion. Using the ADNEX model, lesions were classified prospectively, whereas the SR, SRR assessment and O-RADS were applied retrospectively. Surgery with histological analysis was performed within 6 months of the ultrasound exam. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for each testing modality and the performance of the different modalities was compared. RESULTS: Of the 150 women, 110 (73.3%) had a benign ovarian tumor and 40 (26.7%) had a malignant tumor. The mean risk of malignancy generated by the ADNEX model without CA 125 was significantly higher in malignant vs benign lesions (63.3% vs 11.8%) and the area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve (AUC) of the ADNEX model for differentiating between benign and malignant adnexal masses at the time of ultrasound examination was 0.937. The mean risk of malignancy generated by SRR assessment was also significantly higher in malignant vs benign lesions (74.1% vs 15.9%) and the AUC was 0.941. To compare the ADNEX model, SRR assessment and O-RADS, the malignancy risk threshold was set at ≥ 10%. This cut-off differentiates O-RADS low-risk categories (Category ≤ 3) from intermediate-to-high-risk categories (Categories 4 and 5). At this cut-off, the sensitivity of the ADNEX model was 97.5% (95% CI, 85.3%-99.9%) and the specificity was 63.6% (95% CI, 53.9%-72.4%), and, for the SRR model, the sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 89.1%-100%) and the specificity was 51.8% (95% CI, 42.1%-61.4%). In the 113 cases to which the SR could be applied, the sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 81.5%-100%) and the specificity was 95.6% (95% CI, 88.5%-98.6%). If the remaining 37 cases, which were inconclusive under SR, were designated 'malignant', the sensitivity remained at 100% but the specificity was reduced to 79.1% (95% CI, 70.1%-86.0%). The 150 cases fell into the following O-RADS categories: 17 (11.3%) lesions in Category 2, 34 (22.7%) in Category 3, 66 (44.0%) in Category 4 and 33 (22.0%) in Category 5. There were no histologically proven malignant lesions in Category 2 or 3. There were 14 malignant lesions in Category 4 and 26 in Category 5. The sensitivity of O-RADS using a malignancy risk threshold of ≥ 10% was 100% (95% CI, 89.1%-100.0%) and the specificity was 46.4% (95% CI, 36.9%-56.1%). CONCLUSIONS: When IOTA terms and techniques are used, the performance of IOTA models in a North American patient population is in line with published IOTA results in other populations. The IOTA SR, SRR assessment and ADNEX model and O-RADS have similar sensitivity in the preoperative discrimination of malignant from benign pelvic tumors; however, the IOTA models have higher specificity and the algorithm does not require the use of magnetic resonance imaging. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Prefrontal space ratio: comparison between trisomy 21 and euploid fetuses in the second trimester.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel ultrasound measurement, the prefrontal space ratio (PFSR), in second-trimester trisomy 21 and euploid fetuses. METHODS: Stored three-dimensional volumes of fetal profiles from 26 trisomy 21 fetuses and 90 euploid fetuses at 15-25 weeks' gestation were examined. A line was drawn between the leading edge of the mandible and the maxilla (MM line) and extended in front of the forehead. The ratio of the distance between the leading edge of the skull and that of the skin (d(1)) to the distance between the skin and the point where the MM line was intercepted (d(2)) was calculated (d(2)/d(1)). The distributions of PFSR in trisomy 21 and euploid fetuses were compared, and the relationship with gestational age in each group was evaluated by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r(s) ). RESULTS: The PFSR in trisomy 21 fetuses (mean, 0.36; range, 0-0.81) was significantly lower than in euploid fetuses (mean, 1.48; range, 0.85-2.95; P < 0.001 (Mann-Whitney U-test)). There was no significant association between PFSR and gestational age in either trisomy 21 (r(s) = 0.25; 95% CI, - 0.15 to 0.58) or euploid (r(s) = 0.06; 95% CI, - 0.15 to 0.27) fetuses. CONCLUSION: The PFSR appears to be a highly sensitive and specific marker of trisomy 21 in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Heat shock protein 27 in the placentas of women with and without severe preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Although not fully understood, heat shock proteins (HSP) are well known stress response proteins. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether staining for HSP27 was different between placentas from pregnancies complicated by severe pre-eclampsia with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) as compared to controls. METHODS: Sterile placental tissue was collected from ten women whose pregnancies were complicated by severe preeclampsia with IUGR and from ten women with uncomplicated by severe pre-eclampsia with IUGR and from ten women with uncomplicated term pregnancies. The tissue was then stained for HSP27. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 27 years (mean 27, range 17-37). The median estimated gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks (mean 37, range 29-41). Overall 12 of 20 placentas stained positively for HSP27 (nuclear and/or cytoplasmic). Eight of ten placentas from women with pre-eclampsia and IUGR stained positively for HSP27 (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: HSP27 staining of the placenta is twice as common in patients with severe preeclampsia as compared to patients with normal term gestations. These preliminary results warrant the inauguration of a similar but larger study to examine the significance of these findings.

Outcome of infants delivered between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation in women with severe pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are differences in neonatal outcome between infants born to mothers with severe pre-eclampsia and those born to normotensive mothers with preterm labor and intact membranes between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 4-year period between 1991 and 1995, neonates of women with severe pre-eclampsia delivering between 24 and 28 weeks were matched for maternal age, antenatally assigned gestational age and mode of delivery to normotensive women delivering during the same period. RESULTS: Fifty-eight women with severe pre-eclampsia were matched to 58 normotensive controls who delivered as a result of preterm labor. Antenatal steroids were used more often in pre-eclamptic women (75% vs. 47%, p < 0.01). The mean birth weight of pre-eclamptic neonates was significantly lower than that of controls, 767 g vs. 989 g, respectively. Other neonatal complications were similar for both groups. Neonates of pre-eclamptics required longer ventilator support (21 vs. 16 median days, p = 0.03). Neonatal survival was similar for both groups (72% and 79% for pre-eclamptics and normotensives, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Neonates born to patients with severe pre-eclampsia have similar survival but a lower birth weight and require longer ventilator support than neonates born to women with preterm labor.

A randomized comparison of home uterine activity monitoring in the outpatient management of women treated for preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate home uterine activity monitoring as an intervention in reducing the rate of preterm birth among women treated for preterm labor. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 186 women were treated in the hospital with magnesium sulfate for preterm labor and were prospectively randomly assigned to study groups; among these, 162 were ultimately eligible for comparison. Eighty-two of these women were assigned to the monitored group and 80 were assigned to an unmonitored control group. Other than monitoring, all women received identical prenatal follow-up, including daily perinatal telephone contact and oral terbutaline therapy. Outcome comparisons were primarily directed toward evaluation of preterm birth at <35 weeks' gestation. Readmissions for recurrent preterm labor and observations lasting <24 hours were evaluated in monitored and unmonitored groups. Compliance with monitoring was also evaluated in the monitored group. RESULTS: The monitored and control groups were demographically similar. According to a multivariate logistic regression model, women with cervical dilatation of >/=2 cm were 4 times more likely to be delivered at <35 weeks' gestation (P <.05). Gestational ages at delivery were similar in the monitored and control groups. There was no significant difference in the overall rate of preterm delivery at <35 weeks' gestation between the monitored group (10.9%) and the control group (15.0%). The overall rates of delivery at <37 weeks' gestation were high (48.8% and 60.0% for monitored and control groups, respectively), and the difference was not significant. The numbers of women with >/=1 instance of readmission and treatment for recurrent preterm labor were equal in the monitored and control groups. The numbers of women with >/=1 hospital observation lasting <24 hours were not different between the groups. Compliance with monitoring did not significantly differ for women who were delivered at <35 weeks' gestation, women with >/=2 cm cervical dilatation at enrollment, or for African American women. CONCLUSION: A reduction in the likelihood of preterm delivery at <35 weeks' gestation was not further enhanced by the addition of home uterine monitoring to the outpatient management regimens of women treated for preterm labor.

Trisomy 21 fetus co-existent with a partial molar pregnancy: case report.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 1 in 1,000 pregnancies in the United States are complicated by the presence of a hydatidiform mole. A Medline search revealed no reported cases of a trisomic fetus co-existent from 1966-1998. We present the case of a patient, initially found to have hypertension, edema, and proteinuria in the first trimester, and later found to have a partial molar gestation co-existent with a trisomy 21 infant. CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old female presented to her family practitioner in the first trimester and was found to have hypertension and proteinuria. A thorough work-up by a nephrologist revealed no cause. The patient was transferred to the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Service at 26 weeks' and 1 day estimated gestational age. An amniocentesis revealed the presence of a fetus with trisomy 21. At 27 weeks' and 3 days estimated gestational age, the patient underwent a cesarean delivery for a non-reassuring fetal heart rate. Pathologic examination of the placenta revealed the presence of a partial hydatidiform molar pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The present account represents the first reported case of a fetus with trisomy 21 co-existent with a partial hydatidiform mole.

Prenatal bladder outlet obstruction secondary to ureterocele.

We present 2 cases of prenatal hydroureteronephrosis and bladder outlet obstruction due to an obstructing ureterocele. Both neonates were stabilized and managed with early endoscopic decompression. Neither infant demonstrated significant function in the kidney ipsilateral to the ureterocele either before or after ureterocele puncture. There have been few cases reported of prenatal bladder outlet obstruction due to a ureterocele. Our limited experience has been poor with regard to salvaging the affected upper tract. Future definitive management will be tailored as more of these cases are documented.

The association of aneuploidy and unexplained elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine fetal chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancies complicated by unexplained elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP). STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed, using a computerized database, 58,162 obstetrical ultrasounds that were performed for various indications. Fetuses with MSAFP multiples of the median (MOM) > or = 2.5 and normal extensive ultrasounds were identified. Maternal demographic data and fetal karyotype were obtained. RESULTS: Seven hundred eighty-nine patients received ultrasounds for evaluation of elevated MSAFP. Of the 595 patients with normal scans, 195 (32.8%) underwent amniocentesis and cytogenetic evaluation. Two chromosomal abnormalities were detected (1.0%), including an inversion and a balanced translocation. CONCLUSION: The two karyotypic abnormalities identified in our study consisted of structural rearrangements. Patients undergoing karyotype analysis for unexplained elevated MSAFP should be counseled that the types of aneuploidy detected under this circumstance differ from those associated with advanced age and specific fetal anomalies (trisomy and triploidy).

Methadone maintenance in pregnancy: a reappraisal.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate women receiving methadone maintenance during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two pregnancies in women receiving methadone maintenance were matched by gestational age to women with a positive urine screen for cocaine at delivery and to drug-free controls. Pregnancy outcome variables were compared, including birth weight and neonatal morbidity. Analysis was by chi2 and t test with significance set at .05. RESULTS: Birth weight of methadone-exposed infants was 2748 g versus 2925 g for cocaine and 3032 g for controls, P = not significant. Birth weight comparison with a 50-mg maternal methadone cutoff dose was not different. A head circumference for methadone infants of 32.4 +/- 4.7 cm was significantly less than controls, 33.5 +/- 4.0 cm, P < .04, but not different from infants of cocaine users, 32.8 +/- 3.1 cm. Women using cocaine had a significantly higher incidence of meconium in labor compared with methadone and controls. Of women taking methadone 27 of 32 (84.3%) were positive for other drugs of abuse in the last screen before or at delivery. Cocaine 12 of 32 (37.5%), other opiates 13 of 32 (40.6%), and marijuana 14 of 32 (43.7%) were the most prevalent. Neonatal withdrawal occurred in 23 of 32 (72%) women taking methadone. The neonates of women using < 50 mg of methadone were as likely to withdraw as those women using > or = 50 mg, 61.5% versus 79.0%, P not significant. Three neonates in the methadone group (9.3%) had major congenital anomalies, with 2 of the 3 (66.6%) resulting in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Birth outcome is not significantly different between methadone and cocaine users. Women receiving methadone maintenance are likely to abuse other illicit drugs.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a cause of chorioamnionitis.

BACKGROUND: Chorioamnionitis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Only rarely is Staphylococcus aureus implicated. A case of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus causing chorioamnionitis and endometritis is presented. CASE REPORT: A 39-year-old gravida 2 para 1 female, who previously worked as the unit clerk in the pediatric pulmonary unit of a children's hospital, was initially admitted at 22 weeks with a shortened cervix. The patient refused emergency cerclage. She was released from the hospital and returned at 25 4/7 weeks' estimated gestational age with possible spontaneous rupture of membranes. An amniocentesis was performed and revealed a gram stain positive for many gram positive cocci as well as a glucose of < 2 mg%. The patient was started on intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin and induction of labor with oxytocin was begun. Approximately 1 day after the patient's delivery, the culture from the amniocentesis was noted to have grown methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the patient's (as well as the neonate's) regimen was switched to vancomycin. CONCLUSION: A Medline search revealed no cases of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus causing chorioamnionitis. When chorioamnionitis or refractory endometritis is encountered in a patient who works in the health care industry, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus must be considered.

Papillary serous carcinoma of the cervix: ultrasonographic findings.

BACKGROUND: Papillary serous carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a rare malignancy only recently described. Optimal treatment is unknown. CASE REPORT: A 65 year old white female, approximately 15 years postmenopausal, presented with a recent history of postmenopausal bleeding. Cervical cytology was negative for any abnormalities. Ultrasonography of the pelvis revealed a thickened anterior endometrium with fluid present along with a papillary mass in the endocervix. Hysteroscopy, dilatation and curettage revealed a low uterine segment mass consistent with a pathologic diagnosis of grade 2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. A total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and bilateral pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy revealed a papillary serous carcinoma of the cervix metastatic to pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: Cervical papillary serous carcinoma can be discovered pre-operatively by ultrasonography. Because of its relatively recent description and relative rarity, optimal treatment is unknown.

Non-gynecologic laparoscopy in second and third trimester pregnancy: obstetric implications.

PURPOSE: To review the effect of non-gynecologic laparoscopic procedures performed during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy on pregnancy outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the patient log for the antenatal obstetrical unit was used to identify the patients in this series from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997. Medical records were then analyzed to identify estimated gestational age at surgery and delivery, type of delivery, use of tocolysis, and complications from surgery. RESULTS: Nine patients were identified as having non-gynecologic laparoscopic surgery (without conversion to laparotomy) during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. The median estimated gestational age at surgery was 25 weeks (mean 24 weeks). The most common procedure performed was laparoscopic cholecystectomy (6 patients). Five patients received tocolysis after the initial procedure. All patients delivered at greater than or equal to 37 weeks estimated gestational age (median 38 weeks). No infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic procedures appear safe in second and third trimester pregnancy. In this study, laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed as late as 34 weeks estimated gestational age without any adverse effects on pregnancy outcome.

Tocolytic treatment for preterm contractions with and without cervical changes.

Our purpose was to evaluate the impact of intravenous and oral tocolysis on prolongation of gestation for women with preterm uterine contractions and/or labor. Candidates for evaluation and treatment including women with contractions between 24 and 35 weeks. Two hundred women (group I) without cervical changes met the protocol criteria and 175 women (group II) who presented with or developed cervical changes were treated by protocol. A representative sample of both groups received oral terbutaline maintenance therapy until 37 weeks' gestation. Primary outcome variables included the length of gestation obtained following initial treatment and the preterm birth rate. Women in group II were twice as likely to deliver before 35 weeks, 23% versus 9.5%, respectively, and to have a delivery before 37 weeks' gestation, 45% versus 22%, respectively, (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in days gained in utero for women on oral terbutaline for either group. Women in group II on oral therapy were more likely to be readmitted and retreated with parenteral tocolysis. In conclusion, oral maintenance tocolysis has no significant impact on further prolongation of pregnancy after intravenous tocolysis.

The effect of vibroacoustic stimulation on fetal heart rate parameters utilizing computer analysis.

We examined the effect of vibroacoustic stimulation on periodic and nonperiodic fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters in fetuses not meeting Dawes-Redman criteria utilizing computerized analysis. Antepartum FHR analysis was performed using the Oxford Sonicaid System 8000 package (Oxford Sonicaid Ltd., Chichester, UK). Patients not meeting Dawes-Redman criteria for reactivity after 20 min of monitoring were recruited for the study. A 3-sec vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS) to the maternal abdomen was then performed over the fetal head. Each patient was again monitored using the System 8000. FHR parameters were compared before and after fetal VAS using the paired Student's t-test. Twenty patients met the study criteria. The average gestational age at testing was 36 weeks. Following fetal VAS, significant increases were observed in the number of fetal movements, number of accelerations, baseline FHR, overall variation, and short-term variation. No significant changes occurred in the number of decelerations. Dawes-Redman criteria were met in 16 patients after fetal VAS. In fetuses not initially meeting Dawes-Redman criteria, VAS is associated with increased long-term periodic changes in FHR, but not with changes in the number of fetal heart rate decelerations. Furthermore, by computerized analysis, VAS is also associated with increased overall and short-term FHR variability.

The impact of the Women, Infants and Children Food Supplement Program on birth outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the birth outcomes of pregnant women in the Women, Infants and Children Food Supplement Program with women not in the program. STUDY DESIGN: The vital records of 4713 women, 2895 enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children Food Supplement Program and 1812 not enrolled in the program, whose infants were delivered at Wishard Memorial Hospital over 18 months were reviewed with respect to age, education, race, substance habits, trimester of entry into prenatal care, maternal weight gain, and status in the program. The primary outcome variables evaluated were low birth weight, as defined by the delivery of an infant < 2500 gm, and infant mortality. The primary predictor was program participation versus nonparticipation. Analysis was by t test, chi2, and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Black women, women with no prenatal care, and women who smoke were more likely to deliver a low-birth-weight infant. The incidence of low birth weight was 13.1% for nonparticipants versus 10.2% for program participants (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis confirmed program participants to be at significantly less risk for a low-birth-weight delivery (odds ratio = 0.75, p < 0.05). This relation, however, was not significant in the multivariate model (odds ratio = 0.88), indicating that the effect of participating in the program is being confounded by race, entry into prenatal care, and smoking. The overall infant mortality rate was 12.4 per 1000 for participants and 16 per 1000 for nonparticipants (p = not significant). CONCLUSION: Nutritional and nonnutritional benefits to participation in the Women, Infants and Children Food Supplement Program were confirmed. Women enrolled in the program were less likely to deliver a low-birth-weight infant. Multiple variables likely contribute to the poorer outcome for nonparticipants.

Prenatal ultrasound detection of isolated neural tube defects: is cytogenetic evaluation warranted?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of cytogenetic evaluation in fetuses with isolated neural tube defects diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. METHODS: Fifty-five thousand two hundred sixty obstetric ultrasounds performed for various indications at the Indiana University Prenatal Diagnostic Center from July 1988 to March 1994 were reviewed using a computerized data base. Excluding all cases of anencephaly, fetuses with isolated neural tube defects were identified. Maternal demographic data, pregnancy outcomes, level of defect, and fetal karyotype when available were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi 2 test, when appropriate. P < or = .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Seventy-seven medical record charts of women with prenatally diagnosed isolated fetal neural tube defects were reviewed. Nineteen pregnancies were terminated, 42 pregnancies were delivered, and 16 pregnancies were lost to follow-up. Karyotypes were available in 43 of the 77 cases (55.8%). The theoretical risk of chromosomal anomalies in this sample population based solely on maternal age was 0.3%. Of the 43 documented karyotypes, seven chromosomal anomalies were discovered (16.3%). The difference was statistically significant (P = .012). Detected chromosomal anomalies included two trisomy 18, two triploid 69,XXX, one triploid 69,XXY, one balanced Robertsonian translocation t(13q,14q), and one inversion in the q arm of the X chromosome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of karyotypic abnormalities is significantly increased in fetuses with isolated neural tube defects; therefore, prompt antenatal genetic evaluation should be considered in such cases.

Comparison of hematopoietic progenitor cells in human umbilical cord blood collected from neonatal infants who are small and appropriate for gestational age.

BACKGROUND: Cord blood has been used for transplantation. The purpose of this study was to compare numbers of hematopoietic progenitors in cord blood collected from neonatal infants who are small for their gestational age and those who are normal. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixteen pregnant women diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction were prospectively identified. Cord blood was collected at delivery. Fourteen cord blood samples were obtained from gestational age-matched, appropriately grown newborns. In vitro assays for hematopoietic progenitors were performed and results of the two compared. Comparisons were also made with numbers of hematopoietic progenitor cells previously found by this laboratory in samples collected with the possibility of use for transplantation. RESULTS: Gestational age, the women's pregnancy and delivery histories, maternal risk factors for intrauterine growth restriction, maternal age, delivery method, umbilical cord blood gases, and 5-minute Apgar scores were similar in the two groups. Newborns who were small for their gestational age had significantly lower birth weights and longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit with no evidence for viral infections in the immediate neonatal period. The mean number of progenitors per collection of cord blood in the small newborns was about half that per collection from appropriately grown newborns, but in most cases, these differences were not significant in the two groups, and many numbers in the small newborns fell within the range associated with successfully engrafting cord blood collections. CONCLUSION: Hematopoietic progenitor cells in the small newborns may be adequate for transplantation purposes in many cases. Their possible use in this context should, however, involve careful consideration of the numbers of progenitors collected as well as of possible viral or other contamination.

Effect of magnesium on fetal heart rate variability using computer analysis.

We studied 16 women, at 32 weeks' or more gestation who required magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) therapy for preterm labor or preeclampsia. A 60-minute Doppler fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing, analyzed by the Oxford Sonicaid System 8000, was obtained for 1 hour before and 2 hours after each patient received intravenous MgSO4 therapy. Maternal serum Mg2+ levels were obtained at the second monitoring session. Matched paired measures of FHR parameters were compared with the Student's t test. After MgSO4 administration, we noted significant falls in long-term variability, short-term variability, and total acceleration (more than 10 beats/min) counts. Reduced short-term and overall variability occurred in all cases with maternal serum Mg2+ levels more than 4.6 mg/dL. Therapeutic maternal serum Mg2+ levels are linked with decreases in long-term and short-term FHR variability and acceleration counts. These findings should be considered when evaluating resting FHR baseline of patients thus treated.

A comparison of visual and automated methods of analyzing fetal heart rate tests.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective in this study was to compare evaluation and clinical implications of visual versus computerized analysis of nonstress tests. METHODS: Nonstress tests of 575 high-risk patients were analyzed visually and by a computer using the Oxford Sonicaid System 8000. Standard reactivity criteria were used for visual assessment; the System 8000 used an algorithm with the Dawes-Redman criteria. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of nonstress tests that met Dawes-Redman criteria were reactive by visual analysis; 93% of reactive nonstress tests met Dawes-Redman criteria. Only 30% of tests that failed Dawes-Redman criteria were nonreactive, whereas 44% of nonreactive tests failed to meet Dawes-Redman criteria. Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were similar for both approaches. Additional tests or interventions would have occurred in 9% of the cases analyzed by System 8000 and in 49% of the cases analyzed visually. CONCLUSIONS: Although these approaches rate nonstress tests differently, their diagnostic performances are similar. Automated fetal heart rate testing may become an acceptable alternative to conventional visual analysis.