Comparing uterine electromyography activity of antepartum patients versus term labor patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare uterine electromyography of patients delivering>24 hours from measurement with laboring patients<or=24 hours from measurement.


METHODS
Fifty patients (group 1: labor, n=24; group 2: antepartum, n=26) were monitored using transabdominal electrodes. Group 2 was recorded at several gestations. Uterine electrical "bursts" were analyzed by power-spectrum from 0.34 to 1.00 Hz. Average power density spectrum (PDS) peak frequency for each patient was plotted against gestational age, and compared between group 1 and group 2. Frequency was partitioned into 6 bins, and associated burst histograms compared.


RESULTS
Group 1 was significantly higher than group 2 for gestational age (39.87+/-1.08 vs 32.96+/-4.26 weeks) and average PDS peak frequency (0.51+/-0.10 vs 0.40+/-.03 Hz). Histograms were significantly different. A correlation coefficient of .41, with significance, was found with PDS vs gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Uterine electromyography in antepartum patients is significantly lower than in laboring patients delivering<or=24 hours from measurement.
Garfield
Robert E
RE
Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1062, USA. rgarfiel@utmb.edu
Maner
William L
WL
MacKay
Lyn B
LB
Schlembach
Dietmar
D
Saade
George R
GR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology*