The Predictive Value of Abnormal Fetal Heart Rate Patterns in Early Labour

Abstract

Summary: An abnormal early intrapartum cardiotocogram was found to have a sensitivity of 26.4% and a positive predictive value of 28.3% for the detection of fetal acidaemia at birth and a sensitivity of 27.3% and a positive predictive value of 3.3% for the prediction of 5‐minute Apgar scores below 7. The presence of meconium in the liquor amnii improved the predictive properties of the test. Although an abnormal early intrapartum fetal heart rate pattern indicated a higher risk group, the majority of patients with abnormal early intrapartum cardiograms had a favourable outcome. A normal pattern does not exclude an adverse outcome. Copyright © 1993, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved