title: Continuous intrapartum fetal monitoring: a prospective randomized comparison of 2 types of fetal scalp electrode.
abstract: This trial was conducted to compare 2 commonly used fetal scalp electrodes with regard to ease of use, frequency and extent of neonatal injury and quality of cardiotocographic record. A randomized design was employed to study a group of 106 patients divided between a Surgicraft Copeland clip fetal scalp electrode (52 patients) and a Meditrace spiral single helix scalp electrode (54 patients). Patients were eligible for trial entry if they required an intrapartum fetal scalp electrode, at term with a singleton cephalic pregnancy. Ease of application was rated by the operator using a linear analogue score. Unidentified traces were reviewed independently for quality by 2 obstetricians and neonates were examined on day-2 postpartum for injury. The Meditrace spiral fetal scalp electrode was significantly easier to apply (unpaired t-test p < 0.02). It also obtained higher ratings for trace quality (unpaired t-test p < 0.02). There were no serious neonatal injuries and no difference was found between the 2 electrodes in this regard.
authors.affiliation: Royal Hospital for Women, Paddington, New South Wales.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Leader
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004566:Electrodes / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012535:Scalp / Q000502:physiology*