title: Intrapartal cardiotocography in prediction of well-being of small for gestational age newborns.
abstract: An attempt to predict neonatal well-being in vaginal delivery was made in groups of 103 term small for gestational age (SGA) and 103 term adequate for gestational age (AGA) newborns, by assessing cardiotocography scores immediately before birth. For assessment, modified Fischer scores (from 0 to 10, normal greater than or equal to 8) and subjective visual scores (from 0 to 6, normal greater than or equal to 5) were used. Modified Fischer scores had a sensitivity of 25% in detecting acidosis (umbilical artery pH less than 7.20) in SGA cases; and of 50%, in AGA cases. Visual scores had a sensitivity of 75 and of 50%, respectively. Specificities in these groups were 64 and 65%, and 56 and 60%, respectively. The positive predictive values in all groups were below 10%. It is concluded that intrapartal cardiotocographic scoring is neither very sensitive nor specific in the prediction of neonatal condition in term vaginal SGA and AGA deliveries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Erkkola
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001034:Apgar Score; D015148:Cardiotocography; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity