The advantages of computerized fetal heart rate analysis

A brief account is given of the advantages of computerized analysis of human fetal heart rate (FHR) traces antenatally, based on clinical use over 8 years. Accuracy is greater. Results are presented quantitatively and consistently. The numerical measures of the FHR pattern are related to other objective measures of fetal health, e.g. initial compensated hypoxaemia or terminal acidaemia. Computerized analysis has shown that changes in FHR variation are a better guide than the presence or absence of large decelerations. Recording time is used better. Synoptic displays of data over 4 weeks show significant trends in fetal heart rate variation and movements with time. And the problems generated by the limitations of fetal heart rate monitors are identified to exclude spurious information.