title: Conventional and computerized antepartum telecardiotocography. Experienced and inexperienced observers versus computerized analysis.
abstract: The study assessed the agreement in cardiotocogram interpretation between the 2CTG computerized system and experienced and inexperienced observers involved in a telecardiotocography project called 'TOCOMAT'. Both observers and computer analyzed FHR baseline, FHR variability, and number of large accelerations and of decelerations. The k coefficient was calculated for the statistical analysis. The interobserver agreement about the evaluation of the FHR baseline and of the large accelerations was good; it was poor about the assessment of the FHR variability and the decelerations. Similar results were obtained for the agreement among observers and computer. The use of a computerized system provides exact values for most CTG parameters; the experts, however, should rely both on clinical features and on the computerized interpretation, to make decisions about management.
authors.affiliation: Prenatal Care Unit, Department of Obstetrical Gynaecological and Urological Science and Reproductive Medicine, University Federico II, Naples, Italy. dilieto@unina.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Lieto
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Giani
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campanile
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Falco
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaramellino
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Papa
mesh_terms: D015148:Cardiotocography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D015588:Observer Variation; D011247:Pregnancy; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*