[Possible effects of infusion pumps on the registration of cardiotocograms (author's transl)]

Artifacts in cardiotachographic tracings caused by infusion pumps have been recorded and are presented. Registration of the artifacts occurs in ultrasonic or abdominal EKG-tracings when the fetal signals are weak or absent. The cause of these misregistrations which can lead to faulty interpretations are an interference of the infusion pump through the general circuit. Interference from the infusion pump is registered when grounding is insufficient or when the infusion pump is in close proximity to the abdominal electrode. In the abdominal EKG technique the instruments have to be in closer proximity than in the ultrasonic technique.