[Preliminary study of the use of fetal pulse oximetry during labor].
OBJECTIVE
To assess continuous monitoring of fetal blood oxygen staturation (SpO2) during labour using a fetal pulse oxymeter.


METHODS
Preliminary results obtained with the Nellcor N-400 fetal pulse oxymeter at the Maternité Port-Royal-Baudelocque between November 1992 and November 1993 in cases of abnormal fetal heart rate are presented. We analyzed: the correlation between SpO2 during labour and cord vein pH as well as Apgar score, the correlation between changes in SpO2, expressed as a desaturation index, and cord vein pH as well as Apgar score. The negative predictive value of oxymetry was assessed.


RESULTS
We found a significant positive correlation between the last SpO2 measurement during labour and umbilical vein pH as well as 1 minute Apgar score. We observed a highly significant correlation between the index of desaturation and cord vein pH as well as 1 minute Apgar score. No neonatal pH below 7.20 was observed when SpO2 was > or = 40% during labour. The negative predictive value of oxymetry was 100% in this short series of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
If these results were confirmed in a larger series of patients, a normal SpO2 value during labour could be reassuring in case of abnormal fetal heart rate.
Carbonne
B
B
Clinique Universitaire Port-Royal-Baudelocque, Paris.
Audibert
F
F
Segard
L
L
Sebban
E
E
Beyaert
B
B
Cabrol
D
D
Papiernik
E
E
D001034:Apgar Score; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000097:blood*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D014471:Umbilical Veins
Etude préliminaire sur l'utilisation de l'oxymétrie de pouls foetal pendant le travail.