[Complications of intra-uterine fetal monitoring (author's transl)].
The authors review the literature of the complications of intra-uterine fetal monitoring. Internal tocography, which is at the moment the ultimate method for evaluating uterine contractions, can give rise to infections. Placing the catheter into the uterus is not the only risk but that risk can be increased by the techniques used for the delivery, the social class of the patient, the time the membranes have been ruptured and the flora of the vagina before it was put in place. With a little in the way of precautions the complications of infection can be avoided. They, as far as the mother is concerned, are usually limited to endometritis. The scalp electrode gives the best possible fetal heart signal; it is rare (less than 1%) for infection to occur and it is exceptional that this infection should be severe. There are also rare other complications (lacerations and heamorrhage). The advantages to be gained by intensive monitoring of the fetus far outweigh the risks of morbidity from intra-uterine fetal monitoring.
D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004716:Endometritis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk; D014590:Uterine Contraction
Les complications du monitorage foetal interne.