Related Experiment Videos
Late fetal death--has ultrasound a role to play in its prevention?
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
Late fetal death is the principle cause of perinatal mortality (PNM) in Ireland. Real-time ultrasound scanning has been suggested as a means for identifying the fetus at risk of abnormal pregnancy outcome. Using an ultrasound-based method of fetal assessment the author noted a significant reduction in late fetal death rates over a 4 year period (1985-1988: late fetal death rate: 3.1/1000) as compared to an historic control (1983-84: late fetal death rate: 7.05/10000). In addition, as operator experience increased the false positive test rate (i.e. unnecessary delivery) was noted to fall. It is suggested that real-time ultrasound assessment of the fetus may have some role to play in preventing late fetal death.
Late fetal death is the principle cause of perinatal mortality (PNM) in Ireland. Real-time ultrasound scanning has been suggested as a means for identifying the fetus at risk of abnormal pregnancy outcome. Using an ultrasound-based method of fetal assessment the author noted a significant reduction in late fetal death rates over a 4 year period (1985-1988: late fetal death rate: 3.1/1000) as compared to an historic control (1983-84: late fetal death rate: 7.05/10000). In addition, as operator experience increased the false positive test rate (i.e. unnecessary delivery) was noted to fall. It is suggested that real-time ultrasound assessment of the fetus may have some role to play in preventing late fetal death.