PREDICTIVE VALUE OF CTG IN POST-DATED PREGNANCY.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Suganthi Ramalingam,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
56 Peon Colony, Padasalai Street,
Eachanari, Coimbatore-641023.
E-mail: drsugnats@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

AIM

This study evaluates the usefulness of intrapartum cardiotocography in patients with post-dated pregnancy compared to intermittent auscultation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

100 patients with pregnancies beyond EDD and with no other risk factors were included in the study; 50 patients who underwent CTG on admission into labour ward formed the study group and 50 patients who underwent intermittent auscultation formed the control group. Antenatal foetal monitoring namely daily foetal movement count, twice-weekly non-stress test with amniotic fluid assessment and Doppler velocimetry using ultrasound were done in all patients until the onset of labour. Labour was induced whenever NST was non-reassuring or ultrasound showed oligohydramnios. Partogram was used to monitor the course of labour.

RESULTS

The foetal outcome was better in the study group than in the control group with fewer depressed babies. Cardiotocography had a positive predictive value of 36 36% and a negative predictive value of 94.04% with a P value of 0.010.

CONCLUSION

Cardiotocography is definitely superior to intermittent auscultation in intrapartum foetal monitoring. Despite the high number of false positives, CTG predicts the outcome of labour in every patient and especially in cases with prolonged pregnancy it serves as a valuable screening tool to pick up those cases that may be compromised by the events of labour.

KEYWORDS

Cardiotocography (CTG), Non-Stress Test (NST), Prolonged Pregnancy, Foetal Heart Rate (FHR), Beats/Minute (bpm).