title: Oxytocin challenge tests and urinary estriols in the management of high-risk pregnancies.
abstract: Three hundred sixty-two pregnant patients at risk for placental insufficiency were evaluated with the oxytocin challenge test (OCT) and urinary estriol determinations. The perinatal mortality in patients with positive tests was 6 times higher than the perinatal mortality in patients with negative tests. Expectant treatment of patients with a positive OCT was associated with a perinatal mortality 6 times higher than if immediate delivery was accomplished. A negative stress test was reassuring, as the risk of death in utero within a week of a negative test was only 0.3%. The combination of low estriol levels and positive OCT was quite ominous, while the presence of normal estriol levels provided reassurance of good perinatal outcome when expectant treatment of a patient with a positive OCT was undertaken. The overall perinatal mortality of the patients in this study was not different from that in the general obstetric population.
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D004964:Estriol / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D010121:Oxytocin; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010925:Placental Function Tests; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin; D004964:Estriol