Correlation of fetal heart rate decelerations following acoustic stimulation with perinatal outcome.
This was a retrospective study of acoustic stimulation response and perinatal outcome of 688 fetuses undergoing nonstress testing. Acoustic stimulation was performed within 7 days of delivery, and responses were classified based on the presence of an acceleration, deceleration, or both. Responses were correlated with perinatal outcome. Abnormal outcome was defined as: cesarean section for nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns with an acidotic umbilical artery cord gas; delivery at less than 32 weeks for nonreassuring antenatal fetal testing; meconium aspiration syndrome or mechanical ventilation at 36 weeks or greater; neonatal seizures; 5-minute Apgar score less than 7; and stillbirth. Fetuses who demonstrated deceleration responses were significantly more likely to have abnormal perinatal outcomes when compared with those with acceleration responses (p < 0.001). Although combination acceleration-deceleration responses were more often associated with abnormal perinatal outcome when compared with pure acceleration responses, differences were not significant. A deceleration response following acoustic stimulation is associated with increased risk for adverse perinatal outcome and may merit further evaluation.
Dunston-Boone
G
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Kuhlman
K
K
Kaufmann
M
M
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity