Delivery or expectant management for prevention of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertensive disorders affect 3-10% of pregnancies. Delayed delivery carries maternal risks, while early delivery increases fetal risk, so appropriate timing is important. The aim of this study was to compare immediate delivery with expectant management for prevention of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with hypertensive disease in pregnancy. METHODS: CENTRAL, PubMed, MEDLINE and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing immediate delivery to expectant management in women presenting with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia without severe features from 34 weeks of gestation. The primary neonatal outcome was respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and the primary maternal outcome was a composite of HELLP syndrome and eclampsia. The PRISMA-IPD guideline was followed and a two-stage meta-analysis approach was used. Relative risks (RR) and numbers needed to treat or harm (NNT/NNH) with 95% CI were calculated to evaluate the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: Main outcomes were available for 1724 eligible women. Compared with expectant management, immediate delivery reduced the composite risk of HELLP syndrome and eclampsia in all women (0.8% vs 2.8%; RR, 0.33 (95% CI, 0.15-0.73); I2  = 0%; NNT, 51 (95% CI, 31.1-139.3)) as well as in the pre-eclampsia subgroup (1.1% vs 3.5%; RR, 0.39 (95% CI, 0.15-0.98); I2  = 0%). Immediate delivery increased RDS risk (3.4% vs 1.6%; RR, 1.94 (95% CI 1.05-3.6); I2  = 24%; NNH, 58 (95% CI, 31.1-363.1)), but depended upon gestational age. Immediate delivery in the 35th week of gestation increased RDS risk (5.1% vs 0.6%; RR, 5.5 (95% CI, 1.0-29.6); I2  = 0%), but immediate delivery in the 36th week did not (1.5% vs 0.4%; RR, 3.4 (95% CI, 0.4-30.3); I2 not applicable). CONCLUSION: In women with hypertension in pregnancy, immediate delivery reduces the risk of maternal complications, whilst the effect on the neonate depends on gestational age. Specifically, women with a-priori higher risk of progression to HELLP, such as those already presenting with pre-eclampsia instead of gestational hypertension, were shown to benefit from earlier delivery. © 2019 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

An economic analysis of immediate delivery and expectant monitoring in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation (HYPITAT-II).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the economic consequences of immediate delivery compared with expectant monitoring in women with preterm non-severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. DESIGN: A cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a randomised controlled trial (HYPITAT-II). SETTING: Obstetric departments of seven academic hospitals and 44 non-academic hospitals in the Netherlands. POPULATION: Women diagnosed with non-severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy between 340/7 and 370/7  weeks of gestation, randomly allocated to either immediate delivery or expectant monitoring. METHODS: A trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis was performed from a healthcare perspective until final maternal and neonatal discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health outcomes were expressed as the prevalence of respiratory distress syndrome, defined as the need for supplemental oxygen for >24 hours combined with radiographic findings typical for respiratory distress syndrome. Costs were estimated from a healthcare perspective until maternal and neonatal discharge. RESULTS: The average costs of immediate delivery (n = 352) were €10 245 versus €9563 for expectant monitoring (n = 351), with an average difference of €682 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI -€618 to €2126). This 7% difference predominantly originated from the neonatal admissions, which were €5672 in the immediate delivery arm and €3929 in the expectant monitoring arm. CONCLUSION: In women with mild hypertensive disorders between 340/7 and 370/7  weeks of gestation, immediate delivery is more costly than expectant monitoring as a result of differences in neonatal admissions. These findings support expectant monitoring, as the clinical outcomes of the trial demonstrated that expectant monitoring reduced respiratory distress syndrome for a slightly increased risk of maternal complications. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Expectant management in preterm hypertensive disorders is less costly compared with immediate delivery.

Caesarean section rates and adverse neonatal outcomes after induction of labour versus expectant management in women with an unripe cervix: a secondary analysis of the HYPITAT and DIGITAT trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate caesarean section and adverse neonatal outcome rates after induction of labour or expectant management in women with an unripe cervix at or near term. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from two randomised clinical trials. SETTING: Data were collected in two nationwide Dutch trials. POPULATION: Women with hypertensive disease (HYPITAT trial) or suspected fetal growth restriction (DIGITAT trial) and a Bishop score ≤6. METHODS: Comparison of outcomes after induction of labour and expectant management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of caesarean section and adverse neonatal outcome, defined as 5-minute Apgar score ≤6 and/or arterial umbilical cord pH <7.05 and/or neonatal intensive care unit admission and/or seizures and/or perinatal death. RESULTS: Of 1172 included women with an unripe cervix, 572 had induction of labour and 600 had expectant management. We found no significant difference in the overall caesarean rate (difference -1.1%, 95% CI -5.4 to 3.2). Induction of labour did not increase caesarean rates in women with Bishop scores from 3 to 6 (difference -2.7%, 95% CI -7.6 to 2.2) or adverse neonatal outcome rates (difference -1.5%, 95% CI -4.3 to 1.3). However, there was a significant difference in the rates of arterial umbilical cord pH <7.05 favouring induction (difference -3.2%, 95% CI -5.6 to -0.9). The number needed to treat to prevent one case of umbilical arterial pH <7.05 was 32. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that induction of labour increases the caesarean rate or compromises neonatal outcome as compared with expectant management. Concerns over increased risk of failed induction in women with a Bishop score from 3 to 6 seem unwarranted. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Induction of labour at low Bishop scores does not increase caesarean section rate or poor neonatal outcome.

Relationship between general movements in neonates who were growth restricted in utero and prenatal Doppler flow patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Doppler pulsatility indices (PIs) of the fetal circulation in cases of fetal growth restriction (FGR) are associated with the general movements (GMs) of the neonate after birth. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study including pregnancies with FGR diagnosed between June 2012 and September 2014. A diagnosis of FGR was based on an abdominal circumference or estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile (in conjuction with abnormal Doppler) or declining fetal growth of at least 30 percentiles with respect to previous size measurements. Doppler parameters of the umbilical artery (UA), fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV) were measured maximally 1 week prior to delivery. Cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) was calculated as MCA-PI divided by UA-PI. We assessed the quality of neonatal GMs 7 days after birth, around the due date if cases were born preterm, and at 3 months post-term. We performed a detailed analysis of the motor repertoire by calculating a motor optimality score (MOS). RESULTS: Forty-eight FGR cases were included with a median gestational age at delivery of 35 (range, 26-40) weeks. UA-PI, MCA-PI and CPR correlated strongly (ρ, -0.374 to 0.472; P < 0.01) with the MOS on day 7 after birth, but DV-PI did not. Doppler PI measurements did not correlate with MOS at 3 months post-term. CONCLUSION: Fetal arterial Doppler measurements are associated with the quality of neonatal GMs 1 week after birth, but this association is no longer evident at 3 months post-term. Brain sparing in particular is associated strongly with GMs of an abnormal quality. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Impact of introduction of mid-trimester scan on pregnancy outcome of open spina bifida in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of introduction of the mid-trimester scan on pregnancy outcome in cases of open spina bifida in two regions of The Netherlands. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 190 cases of open spina bifida diagnosed pre- or postnatally, with an estimated date of delivery between 2003 and 2011. RESULTS: With implementation of the mid-trimester scan the percentage of cases of open spina bifida detected before the 24(th) week of pregnancy increased from 43% to 88%. The rise in prenatal detection rate was associated with a significant increase in the number of terminated pregnancies and a decrease in the rate of perinatal loss; the percentage of children born alive did not change significantly. In the subgroup that underwent a scan between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, cranial signs were present in 94.4% of cases. CONCLUSION: Introduction of the mid-trimester scan has led to an increase in early identification of pregnancies complicated by open spina bifida. Pregnancies previously destined to end in perinatal loss are now terminated whilst pregnancies with a relatively good prognosis are frequently continued; the number of children with open spina bifida who are born alive has not changed significantly. Our study confirms that prenatal diagnosis is usually triggered by visualization of a lemon-shaped skull or a banana-shaped cerebellum.

Randomized controlled trials of maternal-fetal surgery: a challenge to clinical equipoise.

This article focuses on maternal-fetal surgery (MFS) and on the concept of clinical equipoise that is a widely accepted requirement for conducting randomized controlled trials (RCT). There are at least three reasons why equipoise is unsuitable for MFS. First, the concept is based on a misconception about the nature of clinical research and the status of research subjects. Second, given that it is not clear who the research subject/s in MFS is/are, if clinical equipoise is to be used as a criterion to test the ethical appropriateness of RCT, its meaning should be unambiguous. Third, because of the multidisciplinary character of MFS, it is not clear who should be in equipoise. As a result, we lack an adequate criterion for the ethical review of MFS protocols. In our account, which is based on Chervenak and McCullough's seminal work in the field of obstetric ethics, equipoise is abandoned. and RCT involving MFS can be ethically initiated when a multidisciplinary ethics review board (ERB), having an evidence-based assessment of the risks involved, is convinced that the value of answering the research hypothesis, for the sake of the health interests of future pregnant women carrying fetuses with certain congenital birth defects, justifies the actual risks research participants might suffer within a set limit of low/manageable.

Perceptions of women, nurses, midwives and doctors about the use of video during birth to improve quality of care: focus group discussions.

The use of video during birth for quality of care was discussed in focus groups with women, nurses, midwives and doctors. Qualitative analysis revealed three categories of importance. First, goals and benefits: improving quality of care, teaching, research and legal issues are important potential applications. Second, limitations: concerns for privacy, fear of feedback and use of video in case of adverse events. Third, rules and regulations: goals and scope of the use of video need to be clearly described, access to video needs to be secured, and time until destruction needs to be specified. Video capture of birth is considered useful and seems acceptable if specific conditions are met.

An economic analysis of induction of labour and expectant monitoring in women with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia at term (HYPITAT trial).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the economic consequences of labour induction compared with expectant monitoring in women with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia at term. DESIGN: An economic analysis alongside the Hypertension and Pre-eclampsia Intervention Trial At Term (HYPITAT). SETTING: Obstetric departments of six university and 32 teaching and district hospitals in the Netherlands. POPULATION: Women diagnosed with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia between 36(+0) and 41(+0) weeks of gestation, randomly allocated to either induction of labour or expectant monitoring. METHODS: A trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis was performed from a societal perspective during a 1-year time horizon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: One-year costs were estimated and health outcomes were expressed as the prevalence of poor maternal outcome defined as either maternal complications or progression to severe disease. RESULTS: The average costs of induction of labour (n = 377) were €7077 versus €7908 for expectant monitoring (n = 379), with an average difference of -€831 (95% CI -€1561 to -€144). This 11% difference predominantly originated from the antepartum period: per woman costs were €1259 for induction versus €2700 for expectant monitoring. During delivery, more costs were generated following induction (€2190) compared with expectant monitoring (€1210). No substantial differences were found in the postpartum, follow-up and for non-medical costs. CONCLUSION: In women with gestational hypertension or mild pre-eclampsia at term, induction of labour is less costly than expectant monitoring because of differences in resource use in the antepartum period. As the trial already demonstrated that induction of labour results in less progression to severe disease without resulting in a higher caesarean section rate, both clinical and economic consequences are in favour of induction of labour in these women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been registered in the clinical trial register as ISRCTN08132825.

The role of autoimmunity in women with type 1 diabetes and adverse pregnancy outcome: A missing link.

The incidence of pregnancy complications in women with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) is greater than in healthy pregnant women. This has mostly been attributed to hyperglycemia. However, despite the implementation of stricter guidelines regarding glycemic control, pregnancy complications remain more common in women with T1D. This may suggest that other etiological factors are involved. We suggest that the immune response may play a role, since the immune response has to adapt during pregnancy in order to facilitate implantation, placental and fetal development, and aberrant immunological adaptations to pregnancy are involved in various pregnancy complications. Since T1D is an autoimmune disorder, the question rises whether the immune response of women with T1D is able to adapt properly during pregnancy. Here we review the current proof and views on the role of aberrant immunological adaptations in pregnancy complications and whether such aberrant adaptations could be involved in the pregnancy complications of T1D patients.

Delayed intrauterine repair of an experimental spina bifida with a collagen biomatrix.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a collagen biomatrix is useful for delayed intrauterine coverage of a surgically created spina bifida in a fetal lamb. METHODS: In 20 fetal lambs, surgery was performed at 72 or 79 days' gestation. In 15 lambs a spina bifida was created surgically. In 8 lambs it was covered with a collagen biomatrix 2 weeks later and in 7 lambs it was left uncovered. Five lambs served as sham operated controls. Neurological examination was performed at 1 week of age and afterwards the lambs were sacrificed for further histological evaluation. RESULTS: None of the 5 surviving lambs with the defect covered showed loss of spinal function and the architecture of the spinal cord was preserved in 4 of the 5 lambs. In the uncovered group, 1 of the 4 surviving lambs had loss of spinal function, 5 lambs were available for histological evaluation and 4 of them showed disturbance of the architecture of the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Collagen biomatrices can be used for intrauterine coverage of an experimental spina bifida and can preserve the architecture of the spinal cord. Neurological outcome is not different between fetuses with their spinal cord covered and fetuses with uncovered cords.

Blood pressure patterns in women with gestational hypertension or mild preeclampsia at term.

OBJECTIVE: Gestational hypertension (GH) and mild preeclampsia (PE) represent the most common medical complications of pregnancy, with the majority of cases developing at or near term. There is little knowledge of the course of blood pressure over time in these women. We explored the pattern of systolic and diastolic blood pressure over time in women with GH or mild PE at term participating in the HYPITAT trial, and we attempted to identify clinical factors influencing these blood pressure patterns and the impact of severe hypertension on clinical management. STUDY DESIGN: We used data from the HYPITAT trial, that included women with a singleton pregnancy with a fetus in cephalic position between 36 and 41 weeks of gestation with the diagnosis of GH or mild PE. Blood pressure measurements were performed from randomization or admission until delivery or discharge from the hospital. We included the highest blood pressure of each day. We evaluated systolic and diastolic blood pressure change over time, as well as the influence of clinical characteristics and laboratory findings on the course of blood pressure. We used univariate and multivariate regression analysis with a backward stepwise algorithm for the selection of variables. The model with the best fit (lowest AIC) was selected as the final model. We also compared mode of delivery for women with and without severe hypertension. RESULTS: We studied 1076 women who had 4188 blood pressure measurements done. The systolic blood pressure showed a significant non-linear increase over time and for the diastolic blood pressure the pattern was also non-linear. In the multivariable model of systolic blood pressure change over time, nulliparity, ethnicity, systolic blood pressure (at baseline), BMI and LDH at randomization influenced the course of blood pressure. In the diastolic blood pressure model ALT and the baseline diastolic blood pressure had a significant influence. When we explored the association between blood pressure and mode of delivery, it appeared that development of severe hypertension was a risk factor for Caesarean section. CONCLUSION: The blood pressure in patients with GH or PE at term showed a non-linear increase with time, which was aggravated by clinical characteristics. Development of severe hypertension was a risk factor for Caesarean section, which may explain the elevated Caesarean section rates in the expectant monitoring group in the HYPITAT trial.

Risk stratification for healthcare planning in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: To identify relevant factors predicting the need for insulin therapy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and secondly to determine a potential 'low- risk' diet-treated group who are likely to have good pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis between 2011-2014. Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of the need for insulin therapy. To identify a 'low-risk' diet-treated group, the group was stratified according to pregnancy complications. Diet-treated women with indications for induction in secondary care were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 820 GDM women were included, 360 (44%) women required additional insulin therapy. The factors predicting the need for insulin therapy were: previous GDM, family history of diabetes, a previous infant weighing ≥ 4500 gram, Middle-East/North-African descent, multiparity, pre-gestational BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, and an increased fasting glucose level ≥ 5.5 mmol/l (OR 6.03;CI 3.56-10.22) and two-hour glucose level ≥ 9.4 mmol/l after a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test at GDM diagnosis. In total 125 (54%) women treated with diet only had pregnancy complications. Primiparity and higher weight gain during pregnancy were the best predictors for complications (predictive probability 0.586 and 0.603). CONCLUSION: In this GDM population we found various relevant factors predicting the need for insulin therapy. A fasting glucose level ≥ 5.5 mmol/l at GDM diagnosis was by far the strongest predictor. Women with GDM who had good glycaemic control on diet only with a higher parity and less weight gain had a lower risk for pregnancy complications.

Prediction of neonatal outcome in women with gestational hypertension or mild preeclampsia after 36 weeks of gestation.

BACKGROUND: There is little knowledge about neonatal complications in GH and PE and induction at term, we aim to assess whether they can be predicted from clinical data. METHODS: We used data of the HYPITAT trial and evaluated whether adverse neonatal outcome (Apgar score < 7, pH < 7.05, NICU admission) could be predicted from clinical data. Logistic regression, ROC analysis and calibration were used to identify predictors and evaluate the predictive capacity in an antepartum and intrapartum model. RESULTS: We included 1153 pregnancies, of whom 76 (6.6%) had adverse neonatal outcome. Parity (primipara OR 2.75), BMI (OR 1.06), proteinuria (dipstick +++ OR 2.5), uric acid (OR 1.4) and creatinine (OR 1.02) were independent antepartum predictors; In the intrapartum model, meconium stained amniotic fluid (OR 2.2), temperature (OR 1.8), duration of first stage of labour (OR 1.15), proteinuria (dipstick +++ OR 2.7), creatinine (OR 1.02) and uric acid (OR 1.5) were predictors of adverse neonatal outcome. Both models showed good discrimination (AUC 0.75 and 0.78), but calibration was limited (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.41, and p = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: In women with GH or PE at term, it is difficult to predict neonatal complications, possibly since they are rare in the term pregnancy. However, the identified individual predictors may guide physicians to anticipate requirements for neonatal care.

Intrapartum fetal surveillance of congenital heart block with pulse oximetry.

BACKGROUND: In cases of fetal congenital heart block, the fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern is uninterpretable, often leading to an operative delivery. Reflectance pulse oximetry, a new technique that continuously measures the fetal arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) during labor, is potentially useful in intrapartum monitoring of fetuses with this condition. CASES: Two fetuses with congenital heart block were monitored with reflectance pulse oximetry and fetal scalp blood sampling. The first patient delivered spontaneously. Adequate signal quality was achieved during 73% of the study time. Mean +/- standard deviation (SD) SaO2 was 53 +/- 14%. Fetal outcome was good. The second patient was delivered by cesarean because of arrest of labor. Oxygen saturation values were obtained during 89% of the study time. The mean SaO2 was 42 +/- 13%. There was a period of 8 minutes with SaO2 values below 20%. Capillary blood pH dropped from 7.33 to 7.25; SaO2 values then returned to levels above 30% and the capillary blood pH normalized. The neonate was born in good condition. CONCLUSION: In fetal congenital heart block, adequate surveillance with FHR monitoring during labor is not possible; therefore, continuous information on fetal oxygenation may be valuable in assessing the fetal condition and may prevent unnecessary obstetric interventions.

Risk for surviving twin after fetal death of co-twin in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine neonatal outcome of surviving twins in pregnancies complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome and fetal deaths of co-twins. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 11 women seen during 1990-1996 in our hospital who had pregnancies complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome and death of one fetus. RESULTS: The median interval between fetal death and delivery (six by cesarean delivery and five vaginally) was 2 weeks (range, 1 day to 7 weeks). Three of the 11 surviving twins died soon after birth (gestational ages at birth 32, 31, and 34 weeks; fetal death-delivery intervals 3, 7, and 7 weeks, respectively). Two survivors were severely handicapped (gestational ages at birth 29 and 33 weeks; fetal death-delivery interval 1 and 2 weeks, respectively). Two children showed cerebral echodensities on ultrasound after birth but developed normally, and four did not show any abnormalities on cerebral and abdominal ultrasound and developed normally. Five of 11 surviving twins, each born 1 week or more after fetal death of the co-twin, either died or experienced serious morbidity. In the two infants born within 1 day of fetal death, no problems were detected. CONCLUSION: In monochorionic twin gestations complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome, approximately half of surviving twins will experience mortality or serious morbidity when co-twins die in utero.

Fetal transcutaneous PCO2 measurements during labour.

The departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Universities of Bonn and Copenhagen and the Free University of Amsterdam cooperated in the European Community Concerted Action Project 'New methods for Perinatal Surveillance'. In 95 patients fetal transcutaneous PCO2 (tcPCO2) recording (measuring temperature 41 degrees C) during labour was evaluated regarding its clinical applicability. During the first stage of labour fetal tcPCO2 was rather stable at a level of 7.3 +/- 1.4 kPa. In the second stage there were marked differences between the three subpopulations. In the first stage of labour the correlation between tcPCO2 and PCO2 in fetal blood samples was 0.38 (P = 0.02) and in the second stage -0.20 (P = 0.36). The correlation of fetal tcPCO2 with umbilical artery PCO2 was 0.30 (P = 0.01) and with pH -0.30 (P = 0.01). Using a fetal tcPCO2 level of 8.0 kPa as a cut-off point to predict an umbilical artery pH less then 7.20, sensitivity was 88%, specificity 65%, positive predictive value 29% and negative predictive value 97%. The likelihood ratio of a positive test was 2.47 and of a negative test 0.13. It is concluded that fetal tcPCO2 possibly can be an additional tool to exclude fetal acidosis. In case of values above 8.0 kPa further evaluation of the fetal acid-base balance is indicated.

The ductus arteriosus, pre- and post-ductal oxygen saturation measurements in fetal lambs.

In the fetus, the arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) in the ascending aorta is higher than in the descending aorta. We questioned whether this difference over the ductus arteriosus (delta SaO2) would change during hypoxaemia. Therefore, six chronically instrumented fetal lambs (119-126 days of gestation) were studied, by changing the inspired oxygen (FIO2) via a tracheal tube to the ewe. The SaO2 was measured intermittently every 15 min with blood samples obtained from the ascending and descending aorta, and continuously with 2 pulse oximeters at both sides of the ductus arteriosus. delta SaO2 was at a level of 3.4-5.3% and had a tendency to decrease at preductal SaO2 levels of 10-20% and at pH levels below 7.25. The precision of the pulse oximeters, expressed as standard deviation of the differences between sample SaO2 and pulse oximeter SaO2, was around 5.0% for the individual calibration curves. This precision was not enough to show details of the course of delta SaO2 between the blood samples. Our results show that there is no change in delta SaO2 across the ductus arteriosus.

The efficacy of intrapartum fetal surveillance when fetal pulse oximetry is added to cardiotocography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if oxygen saturation measurement with pulse oximetry (SpO2) in combination with cardiotocograghy (CTG), improves the assessment of the intrapartum fetal condition. STUDY DESIGN: Four expert obstetricians individually evaluated 119 cases that were monitored during labor: during the first session the CTG data were available, and in the second session CTG and SpO2 data were evaluated. They were instructed to indicate the need for intervention and to estimate the umbilical artery pH. RESULTS: In the non-acidotic group (umbilical artery pH > or = 7.15, n = 112) the average(+/-S.D.) number of interventions decreased from 27(+/-17) to 16(+/-9) when SpO2 was available. This reduction in number of interventions resulted in an significantly increased specificity for two referees. In the acidotic group (n = 7) the average number of interventions also decreased, from 6(+/-2) to 4(+/-2), and as a consequence the sensitivity decreased. The pH estimate based on CTG + SpO2 was higher in both acidotic and non-acidotic fetuses than the estimated pH based on CTG alone. CONCLUSION: In this study all referees intervened less frequently when SpO2 was used as an adjunct to CTG. This resulted in fewer unnecessary operative interventions, but may also lead to unidentified fetal acidosis. The number of acidotic newborns (n = 7) was too small, however, to draw definite conclusions. Larger studies should address the efficacy of SpO2 in detecting fetal compromise before clinical use can be advocated.

[Physical diagnostics--auscultation of fetal heart sounds]. / Fysische diagnostiek--auscultatie van foetale harttonen.

Auscultation or recording of foetal heart tones is possible throughout pregnancy. In the first trimester, the presence of heart activity proves a vital pregnancy and reduces the probability of spontaneous abortion. From the end of the second and during the whole of the third trimester foetal heart activity can be used to asses the foetal condition. The introduction of cardiotocography failed to reduce serious perinatal morbidity or mortality as compared with intermittent auscultation, but did increase the number of obstetrical interventions.