Normal Fetal Heart Rate Pattern in the Brain-damaged Infant: A Failure of Intrapartum Fetal Monitoring?

> Objective: To describe the perinatal characteristics of neurologically impaired infants with normal intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns. Methods: In a registry of 300 neurologically impaired singleton term infants, a retrospective chart review was undertaken to analyze those patients with a normal intrapartum FHR pattern, i.e. reactive FHR pattern with a normal baseline rate throughout labor, and a subsequent finding of central nervous system impairment. Neonates with an abnormal intrapartum FHR pattern or a traumatic birth were excluded. In addition, the four criteria necessary for intrapartum asphyxia were as follows: arterial pH <7.00, Apgar score