The relevance of Short-Term Variation (STV) value measured within 1 hour before delivery in predicting adverse...

Computer CTG analysis (cCTG) included short-term variation (STV) is one of the methods of monitoring fetal condition during delivery. The aim of our study was to define appropriability of STV measured within 1 hour before delivery in prediction of neonatal outcomes.

The retrospective study included 1014 pregnant women, who gave birth in the Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology. Participants were divided into two groups: group 1 - term pregnancies (37-41 weeks) and group 2 - preterm pregnancies (lower than 37 weeks). In each of them, two subgroups have been separated: control (STV ≥ 3 ms) and study group (STV < 3 ms).

In both groups 1 and 2, there were no statistically significant differences related to Apgar scores in 1st, 3rd and 5th minute between group with STV < 3 ms and group with STV > 3 ms Moreover, for 37-41 weeks the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were: 22.7%, 83.9%, 3.3% and 97.8% and for lower than 37: 45.7%, 65.4%, 47.1%, 64.2% in 1st minute after delivery. In group 1 the area under curve (AUC) measurements were 0.45 (95% CI: 0.32-0.58) for 1st minute and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.35-0.74) for 5th minute and in group 2: 0.58 (95% CI: 0.45-0.71) for 1st minute and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.42-0.72) for 5th minute.

High specificity and negative predictive value of STV indicates a good Apgar score of newborns in term pregnancies. Analysis of STV in preterm pregnancy is not clear. Fetal well-being in preterm pregnancy should include STV and other non-invasive and invasive tools.