title: Two-tier approach to biophysical assessment of the fetus.
abstract: The biophysical profile score is widely accepted as a superior predictor of acute-on-chronic fetal asphyxia over the nonstress test. Nevertheless, in the United Kingdom facilities for assessment of high-risk pregnancies by nonstress test are more widely available than with the biophysical profile score. After a retrospective review of 2038 biophysical assessments in 500 high-risk pregnancies, it is suggested that biophysical evaluation of the fetus can be rationalized on the basis of the clinical problem and fetal growth. Terminal acute-on-chronic fetal asphyxia can be excluded by a two-tier method of fetal assessment by initial nonstress test backed up by the biophysical profile score when the nonstress test is suboptimal.
authors.affiliation: Feto-Maternal Assessment Unit, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, England.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Slade
mesh_terms: D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D005313:Fetal Death; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn