A comparison of subjective and mathematical estimations of fetal heart rate variability.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a computerized algorithm to quantify fetal heart rate (FHR) variability and compare it to perinatologists' interpretation of FHR variability.


METHODS
FHR variability was calculated using data from 30 women who had a fetal scalp electrode placed for a clinical indication, and compared to the assessment of FHR variability from four perinatologists who interpreted paper tracings of the same data. Inter-rater reliability was calculated and receiver-operator curve analysis was done.


RESULTS
Correlation between the computer algorithm's assessment of variability and the perinatologists' assessment (0.27-0.68) was similar to the inter-rater reliability between perinatologists (0.33-0.72).


CONCLUSIONS
A computer-based algorithm can assess FHR variability as well as expert clinicians.
Wolfberg
Adam J
AJ
Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. awolfberg@tufts-nemc.org
Derosier
David J
DJ
Roberts
Trevor
T
Syed
Zeeshan
Z
Clifford
Gari D
GD
Acker
David
D
Plessis
Adre Du
AD
D000465:Algorithms; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011247:Pregnancy; D012372:ROC Curve; D012535:Scalp