Comparison of normal and abnormal cardiotocography with pregnancy outcomes and early neonatal outcomes

Cardiotocography (CTG) is the most commonly used test for antepartum and intrapartum foetal surveillance in the majority hospitals of developed countries. The purpose of this study was to compare the pregnancy outcome and early neonatal outcome among the normal and abnormal CTG groups. In this prospective study, fifty consecutive normal and fifty consecutive abnormal CTG were collected within one hour before delivery from patients who have singleton pregnancy with gestational age >or=32 weeks and having obstetric or medical indication for CTG. In this study, the measure of pregnancy outcomes were mode of delivery, indications of caesarean section, percentage requiring caesarean section for foetal distress, oligohydramnios, meconium stained liquor, small placenta and cord around the neck. Early neonatal outcomes included apgar score, birth weight, admission into neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), duration of stay in NICU and perinatal mortality. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding pregnancy outcomes and early neonatal outcomes. So, CTG is an important test to assess the foetal condition in both antepartum and intrapartum period. The sensitivity of CTG was 87%, specificity was 66%, positive predictive value was 54% and negative predictive value was 92% in the prediction of abnormal outcomes. So, normal CTG is more predictive of normal outcomes than abnormal CTG regarding abnormal outcomes.