[Computer-assisted cardiotocogram analysis--from descriptive to perinatal expert system]

The interpretation of cardiotocograms is essentially for perinatal management, it remains labour intensive and depends on training and experience. With the development of modern analysing systems with conventional classification techniques, it seems possible to introduce expert systems and neuronal networks for a better interpretation and classification of cardiotocograms. Techniques of artificial intelligence are powerful tools and should be integrated in future systems. Because CTG-analysis--as a single procedure--is only of limited value for sufficient fetal prognosis, we conclude that computer aided CTG-analysis in combination with additional fetal parameters, for example partial oxygen pressure, will allow the development of future sufficient perinatal expert systems. Nothing should hinder future integration of computerized cardiotocogram analysing systems into everyday clinical routine and to connect it to obstetrical databases.