Neonatal electrocardiographic changes in relation to cardiotocographic changes.
Electrocardiograms (ECG) were made immediately after delivery in 28 infants with normal cardiotocographic patterns in labour and in 29 with abnormal patterns. Changes in the S-T segment and T-wave were quantified in a scoring system. High and peaked T-waves (high T/QRS-ratios) were significantly more common in the group with abnormal cardiotocographic patterns. The infants with ECG-changes also had significantly lower Apgar scores and more neonatal complications. The immediate postpartum ECG seems to be a useful indication of the accumulated hypoxic stress to which the child has been subjected in labour.
D001034:Apgar Score; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009213:Myography; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D014590:Uterine Contraction