Computer Vision for Identification of Increased Fetal Heart Variability in Cardiotocogram.

Introduction: Increased fetal heart rate variability (IFHRV), defined as fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline amplitude changes of >25 beats per minute with a duration of ≥1 min, is an early sign of intrapartum fetal hypoxia. This study evaluated the level of agreement of machine learning (ML) algorithms-based recognition of IFHRV patterns with expert analysis.

Methods: Cardiotocographic recordings and cardiotocograms from 4,988 singleton term childbirths were evaluated independently by two expert obstetricians blinded to the outcomes.

Intrapartum cardiotocography with simultaneous maternal heart rate registration improves neonatal outcome.

Background: Intrapartum cardiotocographic monitoring of fetal heart rate by abdominal external ultrasound transducer without simultaneous maternal heart rate recording has been associated with increased risk of early neonatal death and other asphyxia-related neonatal outcomes. It is unclear, however, whether this increase in risk is independently associated with fetal surveillance method or is attributable to other factors.

Objective: This study aimed to compare different fetal surveillance methods and their association with adverse short- and long-term fetal and neonatal outcomes in a large retrospective cohort of spontaneous term deliveries.

Increased variability of fetal heart rate during labour: a review of preclinical and clinical studies.

Increased fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) in intrapartum cardiotocographic recording has been variably defined and poorly understood, limiting its clinical utility. Both preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) evidence support that increased FHRV is observed in the early stage of intrapartum fetal hypoxaemia but can also be observed in a subset of fetuses during the preterminal stage of repeated hypoxaemia. This review of available evidence provides data and expert opinion on the pathophysiology of increased FHRV, its clinical significance and a stepwise approach regarding the management of this pattern, and propose recommendations for standardisation of related terminology.

Intrapartal cardiotocographic patterns and hypoxia-related perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus.

Aims: In previous reports, cardiotocographic (CTG) fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring has shown only limited benefits in decreasing adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether an association exists between the recently reported ZigZag pattern (FHR baseline amplitude changes of > 25 bpm with a duration of 2-30 min) and asphyxia-related neonatal outcomes in GDM pregnancies.

Methods: Intrapartal CTGs were recorded in a one-year cohort of 5150 singleton childbirths.

Factors associated with intrapartum ZigZag pattern of fetal heart rate: A retrospective one-year cohort study of 5150 singleton childbirths.

Objectives: Recent studies suggest that intrapartum ZigZag pattern of fetal heart rate (FHR) is significantly associated with cord blood acidaemia and neonatal complications. For the clinical significance of this pattern, it is mandatory that ZigZag episodes in cardiotocographic (CTG) recording are correctly identified. The aim of the present study was to examine maternal, fetal and delivery-related factors that could explain the occurrence of ZigZag pattern of FHR during the last 2 h of labour in a large obstetric cohort.

Intrapartum zigzag pattern of fetal heart rate is an early sign of fetal hypoxia: A large obstetric retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to identify possible associations of fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns during the last 2 hours of labor with fetal asphyxia expressed by umbilical artery acidemia at birth and with neonatal complications in a large obstetric cohort.

Material And Methods: Cardiotocographic recordings from 4988 singleton term childbirths over 1 year were evaluated retrospectively and blinded to the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in a university teaching hospital in Helsinki, Finland. Umbilical artery pH, base excess and pO , low Apgar scores at 5 minutes, need for intubation and resuscitation, early neonatal hypoglycemia, and neonatal encephalopathy were used as outcome variables.

Saltatory Pattern of Fetal Heart Rate during Labor Is a Sign of Fetal Hypoxia.

Background: While late decelerations and major bradycardia episodes in intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) recordings are known to correlate with fetal distress,little is known of the importance of the saltatory pattern.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine whether the fetal heart rate (FHR) saltatory pattern in intrapartum CTG registration is associated with fetal hypoxia during the last 2 h of labor.

Design: The study group consisted of CTG recordings from 194 births with a 1-min Apgar score of <8 (birth weight 3,614 ± 512 g; gestational age 40.

[Minor trauma during pregnancy can cause severe fetomaternal hemorrhage].

The principal causes of trauma in pregnancy include falls, motor vehicle accidents and violence. Blunt trauma to the abdomen increases the risk of fetomaternal hemorrhage. Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage is a rare but severe complication which can result in fetal anemia, fetal hypoxia, intrauterine death or neonatal neurologic damage.

[Dinitrogen monoxide in the treatment of labor pains].

Self-administered nitrous oxide relieves labour pain in approximately two-thirds of women, and there is a dose-response with a maximum effect at a concentration of 70%. Nitrous oxide can be used during all stages of labour, and it has no impact on the progress of labour. Occupational exposure of health care workers to nitrous oxide has no adverse effects on their reproductive health if there is an adequate scavenging system in the delivery rooms.