Related Experiment Videos
Fetal vibro-acoustic stimulation with a can--a clinical study
G J Hofmeyr1, T A Lawrie, M de Jager
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Coronation, Hospital.
Objective:
To assess the usefulness of the can as a fetal vibro-acoustic stimulator in the clinical environment.
Patients And Setting:
112 high-risk obstetric patients at Coronation Hospital, Johannesburg.
Method:
161 vibro-acoustic stimulation tests with a can and 159 non-stress tests (NSTs) were performed. The results of the can test were compared with those of the NSTs and with fetal outcome at delivery.
Results:
The can test showed poor sensitivity (5/9). Three of the 4 false-negative results were due to placental abruption that occurred subsequent to the can test. The ability of the can test to predict a reactive NST and good fetal outcome was 94% (negative predictive value).
Conclusions:
In view of the reasonable negative predictive value, the test should be evaluated further as a screening test at primary care level, where there are few or no cardiotocographic facilities.