Computerized analysis of resting fetal heart rate tracings

Previous attempts to computerize the analysis of fetal heart rate (FHR) using mainframe or minicomputers were not accepted in routine clinical practice because of their complexity, cost, and lack of validation. We describe the first practical, inexpensive system integrated into a clinical protocol that analyzes and documents FHR baseline, long-term variability, and episodic events using a standard microcomputer. A comparison of computerized and manual analyses of 284 nonstress tests (NSTs) of high-risk patients revealed no significant differences in determining the number of acceleration and deceleration events and mean FHR baseline. Long-term variability and other reported data could not be compared for lack of manual techniques. The combination of standardized analysis and quantified data may improve the predictive value of the computerized NST compared with the visually analyzed NST. Other benefits include computerized archiving, data transmission by telephone, and linkage to a perinatal data base.