The modified biophysical profile: antepartum testing in the 1990s.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to determine the false-negative and false-positive rates of antepartum testing by use of the modified biophysical profile.


METHODS
From Jan. 1, 1990, through Dec. 31, 1994, antepartum testing results were gathered prospectively and tabulated monthly. For 1 year, 1991, detailed intrapartum and neonatal data were collected from all women admitted and delivered as a result of an abnormal antepartum test result.


RESULTS
The false-negative rate of the antepartum testing protocol was 0.8 per 1000 women tested. Sixty percent of those delivered because of an abnormal antepartum test had no evidence of short-term or long-term fetal compromise. False-positive test results led to preterm delivery in 1.5% of those tested before term.


CONCLUSIONS
The false-negative rate of the modified biophysical profile is lower than that of the nonstress test and compares favorably with the false-negative rates of the contraction stress test and the complete biophysical profile. Iatrogenic prematurity resulting from intervention for false positive test results occurred in 1.5% of women tested before 37 weeks.
Miller
D A
DA
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Women's and Children's Hospital, CA 90033, USA.
Rabello
Y A
YA
Paul
R H
RH
D000328:Adult; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011446:Prospective Studies