[Prediction of fetal hypoxia using the fetal biophysical profile]

In a prospective investigation the authors assessed the diagnostic accuracy of the biophysical profile in the detection of fetal hypoxia. They made 126 tests in 104 risk pregnancies during the 33rd-42nd week of gestation. By means of a scoring system they evaluated six biophysical parameters: non-stress test, fetal breathing movements, fetal movements, fetal tone, volume of amniotic fluid and maturity of the placenta. Ninety-six patients were delivered of a baby within seven days after the test and in these patients the course of childbirth and the condition of the fetus was evaluated. In case of a pathological biophysical score the pregnancy was terminated in 83.3% by Caesarean section, whereby the weight of the fetuses was by 48% lower (1693 g) and the height by 8 cm (41.8 cm) smaller than when the biophysical score was normal. In the detection of an adverse outcome of pregnancy, under which they included an Apgar score of 7 or less during the 5th minute, the first capillary pH less than 7.20 and perinatal death, the biophysical profile had a sensitivity of 68.8%, a specificity of 97.5%, a predictive value of the positive test of 84.6% and a predictive value of the negative test of 94%.