Abnormal fetal heart rate patterns during the active phase of labor: the value of fetal oxygen saturation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the predictive value of intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation (SO2) for prediction of an umbilical artery pH less than 7.15 at birth in labors complicated by abnormal fetal heart rate traces.


METHODS
Eighty-five primigravidas in spontaneous labor complicated by abnormal fetal heart rate traces underwent fetal SO2 monitoring using the fetal pulse oximetry technique. Cases with an SO2 of < 30% were delivered by Cesarean section. Umbilical artery pH was measured at birth in all women.


RESULTS
With the value set of 30% as the cut-off point of fetal oxygen saturation, the positive predictive value for umbilical artery pH of < 7.15 was 61.5% and the negative predictive value was 95.8%, with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 93%.


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal pulse oximetry is a promising technique for assessment of fetal well-being during labor and may decrease the number of unnecessary Cesarean sections.
Vitoratos
N
N
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Greece.
Salamalekis
E
E
Saloum
J
J
Makrakis
E
E
Creatsas
G
G
D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000502:physiology*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D010092:Oximetry / Q000379:methods; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen