title: A nonpenetrating fetal scalp electrode.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a nonpenetrating scalp electrode for intrapartum fetal monitoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preliminary observational evaluation of the device.
  
  
  METHODS
  An urban academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen women in labour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Application of the electrode for intrapartum monitoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quality of tracings, duration of application, disconnection of the electrode, marking of the scalp.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Application was successful in 13 of 15 women, and high quality tracings obtained in 12.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The design of scalp electrode tested is effective and produces high quality tracings in most cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Coronation Hospital, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hofmeyr
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Nikodem
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gülmezoĝlu
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bunn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D012535:Scalp / Q000293:injuries