Is portable foetal electrocardiogram monitor feasible for foetal heart rate monitoring of small for gestational age foetuses in the home environment.

Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) foetuses are at greater risk of complications than normal foetuses. Studies have demonstrated that foetal electrocardiogram (ECG) device (Monica-AN24) can be employed for monitoring foetal heart rate (FHR). However, its reliability and acceptability has not been assessed in SGA foetuses. This study was aimed at: (a) determining the acceptability of wearing the device more than once, (b) investigating the reliability of acquiring successful FHR data at different gestation. Patients with singleton non-anomalous foetus >24 weeks gestation and an estimated foetal weight below tenth percentile were recruited. Thirty-five women wore the device once. Twenty-four of these wore second time (68.6%). Overall, success-rate of FHR signals was 48.6% and increased to 68.8% beyond 34 weeks gestation. Foetal ECG is a promising method for monitoring SGA foetus >34 weeks gestation. Compared to day recordings, foetal signals were more reliable at night. Further studies are required before its clinical utility can be ascertained. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Pregnancies that are affected by small-for-gestational-age (SGA) foetus pose a major public health problem and are associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is no consensus on the optimal timing of delivery. Current methods employed for monitoring SGA foetuses include ultrasound scans for foetal-biometry and Doppler assessments. However, they provide a snapshot of information on foetal well-being, restrict patient mobility and cannot be employed over long-time periods. It is plausible that ambulatory foetal-ECG device that enable monitoring over a longer time period may better inform decisions about the timing of delivery. What do the results of this study add? Trans-abdominal foetal-ECG is a promising method of monitoring SGA foetus in the home setting with a success rate of acquiring reliable foetal heart rate (FHR) data over 90% at night time. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Overall, the study approved the concept of long-term home monitoring and has highlighted the facilitators and barriers to wearing the monitor in clinical care. These observations can be used to undertake robust research to assess the use of foetal-ECG monitor singly or in conjunction with current monitoring techniques for optimal foetal surveillance.

Deprivation and poor psychosocial support are key determinants of late antenatal presentation and poor fetal outcomes--a combined retrospective and prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Published guidelines emphasise the need for early antenatal care to promote maternal and neonatal health. Inadequate engagement with antenatal care is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including maternal death. The factors that influence the uptake and utilisation of maternity care services are poorly understood. We retrospectively explore a large maternity database of births in a large referral UK hospital to capture the socio-demographic factors that influence late pregnancy booking, and then prospectively compare the stress and social support status of consenting early and late-booking women. METHODS: Retrospective socio-demographic and clinical outcome data on 59,487 women were collected from the maternity database record of births between 2002 and 2010 at the Jessop Wing Hospital, Sheffield UK. In a follow-on prospective survey between October 2012 and May 2013 a convenience cohort of early and late bookers for antenatal care were then studied using validated scales for fetomaternal attachment, stress and anxiety, and social support. RESULTS: In our retrospective study, pregnancy during the teenage years, higher parity, non-white ethnic background, unemployment and smoking were significantly associated with late access to antenatal services and poor fetal outcomes (P < 0.001). However, late booking per se did not predict adverse fetal outcomes, when socio-demographic factors were accounted for. A high index of multiple deprivation (IMD) score remained independently associated with late booking when confounding factors such as ethnicity and employment status were controlled for in the model (P = 0.03). Our prospective data demonstrated that women who book late were more likely to be unmarried (OR: 3.571, 95 % CI: 1.464-8.196, p = .005), of high parity (OR: 1.759, 95 % CI: 1.154-2.684, P = 0.009), and have lower social support than early bookers (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Of the many complex sociocultural factors that influence the timing of maternal engagement with antenatal care, multiple deprivation and poor social support remain key factors. Improving access to prenatal care requires in-depth exploration of the relationship between maternal psychosocial health indices, social support mechanisms and engagement with antenatal care. Findings from these studies should inform interventions aimed at improving access to care.

Implementation of Uterine Artery Doppler Scanning: Improving the Care of Women and Babies High Risk for Fetal Growth Restriction.

Introduction: While stillbirth rates have declined in many countries, these declines are less marked in the UK. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects about 3% to 7% of all pregnancies and is by far the single strongest risk factor for stillbirth. FGR implies a pathological restriction of the genetic growth potential and is not synonymous with small-for-gestational age (SGA). The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) defines SGA as an estimated fetal weight (EFW) or abdominal circumference (AC) less than the 10th centile. The likelihood of FGR is higher in severe SGA defined as an EFW or AC less than the 3rd centile. The second version of Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle (SBLCBv2) recommends the second trimester uterine artery Doppler (UtAD) pulsatility index (PI) screening for pregnancies at high risk of FGR. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of FGR and assess pregnancy outcomes following the implementation of UtAD at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT). Methods: One-year retrospective cohort study (1st September 2020-31st August 2021) was conducted across both ULHT hospitals in the UK (Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln and Pilgrim Hospital in Boston). Results: During the study period, 5197 women were booked at ULHT. Of 5197, 349 were identified as high risk for FGR. When numbers were compared for the two hospitals, FGR rate was higher in Lincoln 8.10% vs. 4.51% in Boston. In addition, an increased proportion of abnormal UtAD scans was observed in Lincoln (35.7%) vs. in Boston (22%) (P = 0.014). Of the 349 UtAD scans, 237 were normal (67.9%), 41 showed unilateral notching (11.7%), 43 bilateral notching (12.3%), and 28 raised PI (8%). Babies in the bilateral notching group exhibited the lowest birth weight (P = 0.005), born at an earlier gestation (P = 0.029), and with low Apgar scores at 1 (P = 0.007) and 5 minutes (P < 0.001). Discussion. UtAD is a useful second trimester screening tool for women identified as high risk for FGR and helps stratify the intensity of surveillance. However, the findings call into question a focus solely on the UtAD PI for improving FGR detection without taking into account bilateral notching.

Implementing placental-growth-factor (PLGF) measurements in suspected pre-eclampsia----Challenges in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: As a part of NHS' Innovation and Technology Payment programme (ITP), pregnant women were offered Placental Growth Factor (PLGF)-based testing to help rule out pre-eclampsia (PET) - a serious condition that affects approximately 2.3% of the female population. The study was aimed to evaluate the implementation of PLGF-based testing at United Lincolnshire Trust Hospitals (ULHT). STUDY DESIGN: The soluble FMS like Tyrosine kinase 1/placental growth factor (sFlt-1/PLGF) ratio test was launched at ULHT on 8th October 2020. The project involved a review of an electronic maternity database (MEDWAY) for all women who had sFLT-1/PLGF ratio test performed at ULHT over a 5-month period (October 2020-February 2021). The sFlt-1/PLGF ratio was recorded alongside clinical outcome. Women were classified as low, moderate, and high risk for development of PET if the sFlt-1/PLGF ratio was ≤ 38, 39-84 and ≥ 85 respectively. Reasons for admission were further investigated and adherence to the sFLT-1/PLGF protocol was monitored to evaluate staff performance. Data was then statistically analysed with χ2 and T-test for categorical and continuous variables respectively. Finally, sensitivity and specificity of the sFLT-1/PLGF was assessed with an ROC curve. RESULTS: A total of 236 women had sFlt-1/PLGF ratio test performed in a five-month period. A two-time point analysis (a "during implementation" and "post implementation phase") showed a significant decrease in the admission rates in the post-implementation phase in low-risk group (28.5% during implementation vs 11.3% post-implementation, P < 0.05). Further analysis showed greater staff adherence to the sFLT-1/PLGF protocol in the post-implementation period. The high-risk group demonstrated shorter time from test to delivery, earlier gestational age at delivery and lower birth weight (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study outcomes resulted in a successful submission of a business case. Successful triage of low-risk women at the point where historically admissions were considered reduced clinical workload and enabled better utilisation of resources by allowing focussed care on high-risk women for an optimal maternal and perinatal outcome.

Management of reduced fetal movement: A comparative analysis of two audits at a tertiary care clinical service.

OBJECTIVES: Reduced fetal movement (RFM) is a commonly presenting worrisome complaint, both for mothers and attending clinicians. The aim of this study was to review the management of RFM before and following the implementation of new hospital guideline and to determine pregnancy outcomes following single vs repeated consultations with complaints of RFM. We also compared the standards in our old and new trust guidelines against published guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between June -November 2016 (audit 1) and July- December 2018 (audit 2). All women with a non-anomalous singleton pregnancy, attending the Day Assessment Unit of the Jessop Wing Hospital Sheffield UK with a primary presentation of perceived RFM after 24 weeks of gestation were included. The electronic maternity database was used to collect information regarding their presentations and pregnancy outcomes. Adherence to the old and the new local guidelines for the respective epochs of the assessment were reviewed by two independent observers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) 11 tool. RESULTS: A total of 1775 women presented with RFM during the two study periods. Of these, 632 attended with more than 1 presentation of RFM (35.6 %). There were 3 stillbirths; all diagnosed at the first presentation with RFM. In the second audit, prevalence of RFM increased by 10 %, CTG documentation improved by 1% and ultrasound scan requests decreased by 6.6 %. Women with more than one episode of RFM were more likely to be younger, smokers, nulliparous, have raised BMI, had a higher IOL rate and had more ultrasound scans compared to those with one episode. However, neonatal outcome, onset of labour and mode of delivery remained unchanged between the two groups. While the RCOG guideline was superior to both (old and new) guidelines, the overall scores increased in the new guideline by 22 %. CONCLUSION: After implementing the new guideline, the re-audit demonstrates a reduction in the number of requested ultrasound scans without any compromise on the perinatal outcome.

Is short-term-variation of fetal-heart-rate a better predictor of fetal acidaemia in labour? A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Continuous intrapartum fetal monitoring is challenging and its clinical benefits are debated. The project evaluated whether short-term-variation (STV) and other computerised fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters (baseline FHR, long-term-variation, accelerations and decelerations) predicted acidaemia at birth. The aims of the study were to assess the changes in FHR pattern during labour and determine the feasibility of undertaking a definitive trial by reporting the practicalities of using the monitoring device, participant recruitment, data collection and staff training. METHODS: 200 high-risk women carrying a term singleton, non-anomalous fetus, requiring continuous FHR monitoring in labour were consented to participate from the Jessop Wing maternity unit, Sheffield, UK. The trans-abdominal fetal ECG monitor was placed as per clinical protocol. During the monitoring session, clinicians were blinded to the computerised FHR parameters. We analysed the last hour of the FHR and its ability to predict umbilical arterial blood pH <7.20 using receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Of 200 women, 137 cases were excluded as either the monitor did not work from the onset of labour (n = 30), clinical staff did not return or used the monitor on another patient (n = 37), umbilical cord blood not obtained (n = 25), FHR data not recorded within an hour of birth (n = 34) and other reasons (n = 11). In 63 cases included in the final analysis, the computer-derived FHR parameters did not show significant correlation with umbilical artery cord pH <7.20. Labour was associated with a significant increase in short and long term variation of FHR and number of deceleration (P<0.001). However, baseline FHR decreased significantly before delivery (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The project encountered a number of challenges, with learning points crucial to informing the design of a large study to evaluate the potential place of intrapartum computerised FHR parameters, using abdominal fetal ECG monitor before its clinical utility and more widespread adoption can be ascertained.

Women's experience of wearing a portable fetal-electrocardiogram device to monitor small-for-gestational age fetus in their home environment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the acceptability, to women, of wearing a portable fetal electrocardiogram recording device at different stages of pregnancy and to gain insight into their experience of its use for long-periods of monitoring of small-for-gestational fetuses in the home environment. METHODS: A qualitative study using both a questionnaire and focus group involving women with singleton pregnancy >24 weeks gestation, no evidence of fetal malformation and an estimated fetal weight below 10th gestational centile on ultrasound scan. Fetal heart rate recordings were collected for up to 20 h. RESULTS: In total, 59 questionnaires were completed; 35 after wearing the monitor for the first time and an additional 24 from the women who wore the device for a second time. Six women participated in the focus group; the principal theme identified related to the practicality of the fetal electrocardiogram device. Other themes identified were the discomfort that resulted from wearing the monitor and the reassurance provided in knowing that the baby's heart rate was being monitored. CONCLUSION: Long-term ambulatory fetal electrocardiogram monitoring is an acceptable method of monitoring small-for-gestational fetuses. Overall, women concluded that benefits of wearing the device outweighed any discomfort it caused.

Comparison of diurnal variations, gestational age and gender related differences in fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters between appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses in the home environment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of gender, time of the day and gestational age on fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters between appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses using a portable fetal ECG monitor employed in the home setting. METHODS: We analysed and compared the antenatal FHR data collected in the home setting on 61 healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancies from 24 weeks gestation. Of the 61 women, 31 had SGA fetuses (estimated fetal weight below the tenth gestational centile) and 30 were pregnant with AGA fetuses. FHR recordings were collected for up to 20 h. Two 90 min intervals were deliberately chosen retrospectively with respect to signal recording quality, one during day-time and one at night-time for comparison. RESULTS: Overall, success rate of the fetal abdominal ECG in the AGA fetuses was 75.7% compared to 48.6% in the SGA group. Based on randomly selected episodes of heart rate traces where recording quality exceeded 80% we were able to show a marginal difference between day and night-time recordings in AGA vs. SGA fetuses beyond 32 weeks of gestation. A selection bias in terms of covering different representation periods of fetal behavioural states cannot be excluded. In contrast to previous studies, we neither controlled maternal diet and activity nor measured maternal blood hormone and heart rate as all mothers were monitored in the home environment. CONCLUSION: Based on clinically unremarkable, but statistically significant differences in the FHR parameters between the AGA and SGA group we suggest that further studies with large sample size are required to assess the clinical value of antenatal fetal ECG monitoring.

Can Obstetric Risk Factors Predict Fetal Acidaemia at Birth? A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite major advances in perinatal medicine, intrapartum asphyxia remains a leading and potentially preventable cause of perinatal mortality and long-term morbidity. The umbilical cord pH is considered an essential criteria for the diagnosis of acute intrapartum hypoxic events. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether obstetric risk factors are associated with fetal acidaemia at delivery. METHODOLOGY: In a case-control study, 294 women with term singleton pregnancies complicated by an umbilical artery cord pH < 7.20 at birth were individually matched by controls with umbilical artery cord pH > 7.20. Groups were compared for differences in maternal, obstetric, and fetal characteristics using logistic regression models presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The study showed pregestational diabetes (PGDM) [OR: 5.31, 95% CI: 1.15- 24.58, P = 0.018], urinary tract infection (UTI) [OR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.61- 6.43, P < 0.001], and low Apgar scores to be significantly associated with acidaemia, whereas low maternal BMI [OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04-0.87, P = 0.032], pyrexia in labour [OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.12-0.53; P < 0.001], electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) [OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.43-0.99; P = 0.042), and emergency caesarean section [OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.26-0.66; P < 0.001] were found to be protective of acidaemia. CONCLUSION: Certain obstetric risk factors before and during labour can identify newborns at risk of developing acidaemia. Further research is needed to gain quantitative insight into the predictive capacity of these risks that can inform obstetric clinical management for improved outcomes.

Sensitivity of postnatal fasting plasma glucose in identifying impaired glucose tolerance in women with gestational diabetes - 25 Years' data.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the uptake of postnatal oral glucose tolerance test and to determine the sensitivity of fasting postnatal blood sugar in predicting 2-h impaired glucose tolerance. METHODS: Retrospective study of 1961 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. All women were offered oral glucose tolerance test six weeks post-delivery. RESULTS: Of 1961 women, 1090 (56%) returned for postpartum oral glucose tolerance test. A fasting plasma glucose of ≥6.1 mmol/l identified only 76 of 167 women with impaired glucose tolerance detected by a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (sensitivity of 45.5%; 95%CI: 38.1-53.1). We observed a normal fasting glucose but an impaired 2-h glucose tolerance in 91 out of 968 (9.4%) women. Asian ethnicity, admission on special care baby unit and antenatal insulin therapy strongly predicted 2-h impaired postnatal blood glucose levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although fasting plasma glucose is a convenient method, it lacks sensitivity in identifying women with impaired glucose tolerance postnatally.

"Does short-term variation in fetal heart rate predict fetal acidaemia?" A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of short-term variation (STV) of the fetal heart rate in predicting fetal acidaemia at birth. METHODS: The search strategy employed searching of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) and reference lists of relevant studies. Data were extracted from studies, adhering strictly to the following criteria: singleton pregnancy at ≥24 weeks' gestation, computerized CTG (index test) and calculation of STV before delivery. The outcome measure was arterial pH assessed in cord blood obtained at birth. RESULTS: Meta-analysis showed moderate accuracy of STV in predicting fetal acidaemia with a sensitivity of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.45-0.68), specificity of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.69-0.89), positive likelihood ratio of 3.14 (95% CI: 2.13-4.63) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.58, (95% CI: 0.46-0.72). However, in intra-uterine growth restricted fetuses, a small improvement in detecting acidaemia was observed; with a sensitivity of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.49-0.75) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.31-0.80). CONCLUSION: STV appears to be a moderate predictor for fetal acidaemia. However, its usefulness as a stand-alone test in predicting acidaemia in clinical setting remains to be determined.

Circadian changes and sex-related differences in fetal heart rate parameters.

BACKGROUND: Previous researchers have studied circadian changes in the fetal heart rate (FHR) on small sample sizes and in a strictly controlled environment. This study was undertaken to investigate these changes during the late second and third trimesters, using a portable fetal electrocardiogram recording device (Monica AN24) in pregnant women in home and hospital environments with unrestricted mobility. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 54 pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies between 25 and 40 weeks gestation. FHR recordings were made up to 16 h at home or in the hospital setting in the United Kingdom. FHR data over 90 min periods were averaged and the day (7:00 am-11:00 pm) and night (11:00 pm-7:00 am) data from the same individual were compared. Data were examined for evidence of sex-related differences. RESULTS: During the night, there was a significant reduction in basal heart rate (bFHR) and a significant increase in short term variation (STV) and long term variation (LTV) (P < 0.05). Basal FHR decreased (P < 0.002), whereas LTV increased (P = 0.014) with advancing gestation. Male fetuses showed greater day: night variation than females regardless of gestation (P = 0.014). There was a higher bFHR in fetuses monitored during the day in hospital (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that there are sex-, environment and time-related differences in the FHR parameters measured. These differences may need to be considered taken when interpreting FHR data.

OASI: a preventable injury?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injury and whether any of them were modifiable. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of 2572 women (cases=1286; controls=1286) that took place over a 10 year period at a University teaching hospital. Maternal (Age, Parity, BMI and ethnicity), Obstetric (gestational age, assistance during delivery, episiotomy) and fetal (weight) risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression model presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Both univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted with outcome variables comparing cases and controls. Cases without instrumental deliveries were also compared to controls to exclude for the effect of assisted delivery. RESULTS: This study shows that in addition to instrumental delivery, primiparity (OR 9.8; CI 7.8-12.3), episiotomy (OR 8.6; CI 6.4-11.6), gestational age over 41 weeks (OR 1.5; CI 1.2-1.9), fetal weight over 4 kg (OR 3.2; CI 2.3-4.4) and Asian ethnicity (OR 1.9; CI 1.4-2.7) were all strongly associated with OASI. A raised BMI over 30 appeared to have a protective effect (OR 0.4; CI 0.2-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Most risk factors related to OASI are non-modifiable however gestational age and episiotomy are modifiable risk factors.

Smoking in pregnancy affects the fetal heart: possible links to future cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate effects of maternal smoking on the fetal heart rate (FHR) in ambulatory patients using a portable fetal electrocardiogram recording device. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 43 pregnant smokers and 43 non-smoking gestation-matched controls with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. Smokers were divided into light (1-10) and moderate (11-20 cigarettes/d). The FHR was recorded for 16 h with smokers smoking at will, using an event button to record when they lit a cigarette. Fifty recordings were made in the patients' homes with 36 in ambulatory inpatients. Three consecutive 30-min epochs (before, during and after smoking) were compared with the controls. RESULTS: Basal FHR was significantly lower before smoking in the foetuses of smokers compared with non-smokers (p = 0.048). During smoking, there was a significant dose-dependent fall in short-, long-term and true beat-to-beat variabilities (p = 0.004, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.024, respectively). CONCLUSION: Maternal smoking leads to reversible changes in FHR variability that mimic those associated with an increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in adults. As heart rate and variability reflect the autonomic control of the heart, our findings suggest that maternal smoking interferes with the autonomic control of the FHR.