[Clinical analysis of 1704 cases of fetal distress]

From Oct 1985 through Sept 1986 and from Oct 1988 through Sept 1989, a total of 1,704 cases were clinically diagnosed as having fetal distress. The results of analysis showed no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) between fetal distress and fetal sex, and age of pregnancy women respectively (P greater than 0.05), but there was a significant difference between fetal distress and gestational weeks. (P less than 0.01) and birth weight (P less than 0.05). The highest incidence occurred in postterm pregnancy. The number of neonatal asphyxia cases with fetal distress accounted for 61.08% of the total of neonatal asphyxia. The more indexes of the fetal distress, the higher is the incidence rate of asphyxia neonatorum. Among the complications of pregnancy, the fetal distress rate due to pregnancy induced hypertension is the highest. The results suggested that by using multiple item examinations, early diagnosis of fetal distress and prompt management are possible to decrease the asphyxia rate and the prevention of complications of pregnancy is important to reduce the fetal distress.