Fetal acoustic stimulation testing. III. Predictive value of a reactive test.
The nonstress test (NST) is a helpful adjunct to the management of high-risk pregnancies. However, fetal sleep states may lead to falsely nonreactive tests. We assessed the usefulness of transabdominal acoustic stimulation of the fetus and demonstrated an approximately 50% reduction in the number of nonreactive tests and a shorter testing time. No change in the predictive reliability of a reactive test was observed. With regard to the intrapartum and neonatal outcome in women delivering within seven days of a reactive test, no difference between the incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, depressed one- or five-minute Apgar scores or operative intervention for fetal distress could be identified. A reactive test evoked by acoustic stimulation is as reliable as the NST. It offers the additional benefits of reduced testing time and a lower incidence of nonreactive tests.
Smith
C V
CV
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine and Women's Hospital, Los Angeles.
Phelan
J P
JP
Broussard
P
P
Paul
R H
RH
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy