title: The 2008 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development workshop report on electronic fetal monitoring: update on definitions, interpretation, and research guidelines.
abstract: In April 2008, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine partnered to sponsor a 2-day workshop to revisit nomenclature, interpretation, and research recommendations for intrapartum electronic fetal heart rate monitoring. Participants included obstetric experts and representatives from relevant stakeholder groups and organizations. This article provides a summary of the discussions at the workshop. This includes a discussion of terminology and nomenclature for the description of fetal heart tracings and uterine contractions for use in clinical practice and research. A three-tier system for fetal heart rate tracing interpretation is also described. Lastly, prioritized topics for future research are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. maconesg@wustl.edu
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Macones
authors.forename: Gary D V
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Hankins
authors.forename: Catherine Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Spong
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hauth
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moore