European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Mar 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialCardiotocography alone vs. cardiotocography with ST segment analysis for intrapartum fetal monitoring in women with late-term pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial.
Randomized studies have obtained conflicting results regarding the usefulness of fetal electrocardiographic (ECG) ST-segment analysis, possibly because these studies included non-homogeneous populations. We designed a study to determine whether this monitoring technique is potentially useful for populations at risk for fetal heart rate alterations during labor, i.e. groups of women who share late-term pregnancy as a risk factor. ⋯ In a population comprising only late-term pregnancies, fetal ECG monitoring had no benefits for the mother or fetus. Additional studies are needed of protocols for using ST waveform analysis in selected population groups.