Gastroschisis and reduced fetal heart-rate variability.
Most liveborn babies with gastroschisis do well after surgical repair, although about one-eighth of affected cases die late in utero. Our practice is to use weekly computerised cardiotocograph (CTG) analysis after week 34 of gestation in cases of gastroschisis. In a look-back at the records in 18 such singleton pregnancies, CTG showed 7 to be highly abnormal or preterminal. All but 1 of these 7 had a normal fetal heart rate. In all 7 cases, delivery was expedited. Only 1 infant had neurological sequelae, and in all the abdominal defect was successfully repaired. Monitoring of these high-risk pregnancies with serial computerised CTG may be helpful in timing delivery.
Ingamells
S
S
Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, UK.
Saunders
N J
NJ
Burge
D
D
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities*; D015148:Cardiotocography; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy