Correlation between Fetal Heart Patterns in Labour and Cord Blood pH and its Perinatal Outcome

Abstract

Objectives: To correlate the fetal heart patterns in labour with the cord blood PH and perinatal outcome. Method: The study was carried out in the 104 women who required continuous electronic monitoring in labour. The CTG was assessed objectively using the Kerb's scoring system. Blood collection was done immediately after delivery from an isolated cord segment and PH was determined and correlated with the CTG scores and perinatal outcome. Results: The study group was divided into three groups based on the CTG. There was significant correlation between low CTG score up to two hours before delivery and acidosis at birth (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Application of a scoring system in interpretation of CTG increases the objectivity and reduces the intra&inter observer variation. Sensitivity of CTG with a poor score (zero to four) to predict acidosis was 55.81 % and the specificity was 77.04 %.