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Oxytocin-stressed and unstressed cardiotocograms for the prediction of fetal compromise
The results of unstressed and oxytocin-stressed cardiotocograms recorded in 222 high-risk pregnancies within 48 h of delivery were compared with signs of fetal distress in labour and Apgar scores. Thirty-nine (18%) developed a late deceleration pattern in labour and 18 newborn (8%) had Apgar scores of less than 7 at 1 min. A direct comparison of the predictive value of unstressed and stressed cardiotocograms, using Fisher's exact test, showed a very significant difference in favour of the stressed cardiotocogram for the prediction of both fetal compromise and fetal well-being. The exclusion, or very selective use, of the oxytocin-stressed cardiotocogram and reliance on the unstressed cardiotocogram for the antepartum investigation of high-risk pregnancies sacrifices accuracy for convenience.
The results of unstressed and oxytocin-stressed cardiotocograms recorded in 222 high-risk pregnancies within 48 h of delivery were compared with signs of fetal distress in labour and Apgar scores. Thirty-nine (18%) developed a late deceleration pattern in labour and 18 newborn (8%) had Apgar scores of less than 7 at 1 min. A direct comparison of the predictive value of unstressed and stressed cardiotocograms, using Fisher's exact test, showed a very significant difference in favour of the stressed cardiotocogram for the prediction of both fetal compromise and fetal well-being. The exclusion, or very selective use, of the oxytocin-stressed cardiotocogram and reliance on the unstressed cardiotocogram for the antepartum investigation of high-risk pregnancies sacrifices accuracy for convenience.