title: Fetal ECG during labour: a presentation of a microprocessor system.
abstract: Changes in the ST waveform of the fetal ECG have been detected in 47 term deliveries with vertex presentations using a specially developed microprocessor-based system for on-line recording of T wave amplitude. The T wave was quantified by the T/QRS ratio. The recording included one scalp electrode for exploration and a maternal skin electrode as reference. Signal quality allowed optimal ST waveform assessment in 89% of the cases. The degree of perinatal asphyxia was judged from cord artery acid-base status and the neonatal outcome. In completely normal fetuses at term the mean T/QRS ratio was 0.148 with a standard deviation of 0.048. With this basic information we can proceed in the investigation of the T/QRS ratio as a means for fetal surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lilja
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arulkumaran
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindecrantz
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ratnam
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Rosén
mesh_terms: D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008838:Microcomputers; D011247:Pregnancy; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted