Some remarks concerning the fetal heart rate total dip areas

It was ascertained whether the sum total of the dip areas 60 minutes prior to delivery is an evaluating parameter for judging the fetal state. The cardiotokograms of 62 deliveries with a normal newborn state (newborn index 1) and forty with a pathological newborn state (newborn index 2 and 3) were digitally computer [5]. By proper programming numerous decriptive dip parameter can be determined, e.g. the amplitude, duration, area, lag time, recovery time, fluctuation before, within, and after the dip. The sum total of the dip areas was calculated from the CTG 60 minutes before delivery. Only cardiotokograms with at least two decelerations were included. The pathological newborn group has a larger mean sum total of dip areas than the group with a normal index (Fig. 1). This difference, however, is not significant. Mean values were calculated for other descriptive parameters, e. g. dip fluctuations, lag time, dip amplitude etc. These also differ only slightly between the two groups. (Fig 2). Hence they give no satisfactory decription of the fetal state. By including several dip parameters simultaneously [7] an evaluating parameter can be determined for both decelerations. The various descriptive parameter are given different weights and are added up (discrimination analysis). In analogy to the sum total of the dip areas the sum total of the evaluating parameters was calculated. The difference between the two groups with respect to these evaluating parameter sums is significant. (Fig. 3). The sum of total dip areas alone does not appear to be a sufficient FHR parameter for evaluating the fetal state. Evaluation is significantly improved by considering simultaneously several descriptive parameters.