A framework for standardized management of intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns

The iPREFACE score is useful for predicting fetal acidemia: A retrospective cohort study of 113 patients who underwent emergency cesarean section for non-reassuring fetal status during labor

BACKGROUND

The iPREFACE score may aid in predicting fetal acidemia and neonatal asphyxia in emergency cesarean and vaginal deliveries, which may improve labor management precision in the future.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the score use of the iPREFACE as an objective indicator of the need for rapid delivery in cases of repeated abnormal waveforms without concurrent indications for immediate medical intervention during labor.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective cohort study was conducted among term (37+ 0 days to 41+6 days) singleton pregnant women who underwent emergency cesarean delivery owing to a nonreassuring fetal status. The integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring-decision of emergency cesarean delivery score, calculated from a 30-minute cardiotocography waveform before the decision to perform emergency cesarean delivery, and the integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring-removal of cardiotocography transducer score, calculated from a 30-minute cardiotocography waveform before cardiotocography transducer removal, were employed. The primary outcome was the assessment of the predictive ability of these scores for fetal acidemia, whereas the secondary outcomes were differences in umbilical artery blood gas findings and postnatal outcomes between the 2 groups, divided by the cutoff values of the integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring-removal of cardiotocography score.

RESULTS

The integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring-decision of emergency cesarean delivery and integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring-removal of cardiotocography transducer scores demonstrated the capability to predict an umbilical artery blood pH of <7.2. The integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring-decision of emergency cesarean delivery and -removal of cardiotocography transducer score, with cutoff values of 37 and 46 points, respectively, exhibited an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82 and 0.87, respectively. The integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring-removal of cardiotocography transducer group with ≥46 points had higher incidence rates of an umbilical cord artery blood pH of <7.2, <7.1, and <7.0 and neonatal intensive care unit admissions for neonatal asphyxia.

CONCLUSION

The integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring, derived from cardiotocography during an emergency cesarean delivery, may enable clinicians to predict fetal acidemia in cases of nonreassuring fetal status. Improved prediction of fetal acidemia and facilitation of timely intervention hold promise for enhancing the outcomes of mothers and newborns during childbirth. Prospective studies are warranted to establish precise cutoff values and to validate the clinical application of these scores.

Intrapartum cardiotocography with simultaneous maternal heart rate registration improves neonatal outcome

BACKGROUND

Intrapartum cardiotocographic monitoring of fetal heart rate by abdominal external ultrasound transducer without simultaneous maternal heart rate recording has been associated with increased risk of early neonatal death and other asphyxia-related neonatal outcomes. It is unclear, however, whether this increase in risk is independently associated with fetal surveillance method or is attributable to other factors.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare different fetal surveillance methods and their association with adverse short- and long-term fetal and neonatal outcomes in a large retrospective cohort of spontaneous term deliveries.

STUDY DESIGN

Fetal heart rate and maternal heart rate patterns were recorded by cardiotocography during labor in spontaneous term singleton cephalic vaginal deliveries in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Finland between October 1, 2005, and September 30, 2023. According to the method of cardiotocography monitoring at birth, the cohort was divided into the following 3 groups: women with ultrasound transducer, women with both ultrasound transducer and maternal heart rate transducer, and women with internal fetal scalp electrode. Umbilical artery pH and base excess values, low 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, need for intubation and resuscitation, neonatal intensive care unit admission for asphyxia, neonatal encephalopathy, and early neonatal death were used as outcome variables.

RESULTS

Among the 213,798 deliveries that met the inclusion criteria, the monitoring type was external ultrasound transducer in 81,559 (38.1%), both external ultrasound transducer and maternal heart rate recording in 62,268 (29.1%), and fetal scalp electrode in 69,971 (32.7%) cases, respectively. The rates of both neonatal encephalopathy (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.02) and severe acidemia (umbilical artery pH <7.00 and/or umbilical artery base excess ≤-12.0 mmol/L) (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.65-2.50) were higher in fetuses of women with ultrasound transducer alone compared with those of women with concurrent external fetal and maternal heart rate recording. Monitoring with ultrasound transducer alone was also associated with increased risk of neonatal intubation for resuscitation (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.44). A greater risk of severe neonatal acidemia was observed both in the ultrasound transducer (odds ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.23-3.48) and concurrent ultrasound transducer and maternal heart rate recording (odds ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.78) groups compared with those monitored with fetal scalp electrodes. No difference in risk of neonatal encephalopathy was found between newborns monitored with concurrent ultrasound transducer and maternal heart rate recording and those monitored with fetal scalp electrodes.

CONCLUSION

The use of external ultrasound transducer monitoring of fetal heart rate without simultaneous maternal heart rate recording is associated with higher rates of neonatal encephalopathy and severe neonatal acidemia. We suggest that either external fetal heart rate monitoring with concurrent maternal heart rate recording or internal fetal scalp electrode be used routinely as a fetal surveillance tool in term deliveries.

Does maternal oxygen administration during non-reassuring fetal status affect the umbilical artery gas measures and neonatal outcomes?

PURPOSE

To clarify whether maternal oxygen administration during vaginal delivery improves umbilical artery (UA) gas measurements and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

Singleton pregnancies requiring operative vaginal delivery or emergency cesarean section (CS) due to non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) during vaginal delivery at our hospital from 2018 to 2021 were retrospectively investigated. Intrapartum fetal wellbeing was evaluated based on the 5-tier fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern which is a delivery management method widely used in Japan. Operative vaginal deliveries or emergency CS was performed under integrated judgment in NRFS. Patients were divided into the oxygen group to whom oxygen (10 L/min) was supplied by a facemask and the room air group. The UA gas measurements and neonatal outcomes were compared. The oxygen administration was classified by conditions before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. As a secondary evaluation, stratification of FHR pattern levels and factors associated with UA pH < 7.15 were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 250 patients required obstetric surgical delivery due to NRFS, including 140 (56%) and 110 (44%) in the oxygen and room air groups, respectively. No differences in maternal background factors were found between both groups, except for maternal age. UA gas measurements and neonatal outcomes also showed no significant differences. No significant factors were extracted in the multivariate analysis for UA pH < 7.15.

CONCLUSIONS

Trans-maternal oxygen administration for intrapartum NRFS did not affect neonatal cord blood gasses or neonatal outcomes. Thus, routine oxygen administration for intrapartum NRFS may not always be necessary.

Cardiotocography use for fetal assessment during labor in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

The use of cardiotocography (CTG) to improve neonatal outcomes is controversial. The medical settings, subjects, utilizations, and interpretation guidelines of CTG are unclear for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

OBJECTIVES

To assess and review CTG use for studies identified in LMICs and provide insights on the potential for effective use of CTG to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The databases Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched for published and unpublished literature through September 2023.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Publications were identified which were conducted in LMICs, based on the World Bank list of economies for 2019; targeting pregnant women in childbirth; and focusing on the utilization of CTG and neonatal outcomes.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Publications were screened, and duplicates were removed. A scoping review was conducted using PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

RESULTS

The searches generated 1157 hits, of which 67 studies were included in the review. In the studies there was considerable variation and ambiguity regarding the study settings, target populations, utilizations, timing, frequency, and duration of CTG. While cesarean section rates were extensively investigated as an outcome of studies of CTG itself and the effect of additional techniques on CTG, other clinically significant outcomes, including neonatal mortality, were not well reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Variations and ambiguities were found in the use of CTG in LMICs. Due to the limited amount of evidence, studies are needed to examine CTG availability in the context of LMICs.

Fetal heart rate patterns and the incidence of adverse events after oral misoprostol administration for cervical ripening among low-risk pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

Though misoprostol is commonly used for inpatient cervical ripening, its use in outpatient settings has been limited by safety concerns. This study was conducted to assess the association between early fetal heart tracing (FHT) and maternal tocodynamometry patterns and the incidence of adverse fetal and pregnancy outcomes after the administration of oral misoprostol for cervical ripening.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 9908 low-risk patients at ≥37 weeks gestation who received oral misoprostol for cervical ripening prior to rupture of membranes between 01/01/2012 and 12/31/2017 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals as inpatients. We excluded patients who received a different agent for cervical ripening or had any need for additional inpatient monitoring, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, diabetes, or intrauterine growth restriction. Abnormal FHT, abnormal uterine activity, and adverse pregnancy or fetal-related events documented in the electronic health record in the four hours after administration of the first and second doses of misoprostol were assessed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

We found that 0.9% of patients experienced tachysystole after the first dose of misoprostol (0.6% without decelerations; 0.3% with decelerations). The incidence of variable decelerations only and other FHT abnormalities (i.e. bradycardia, late or prolonged decelerations, or absent or minimal variability) in the first hour after misoprostol administration were 7.1% and 6.7% respectively, and diminished over time. The need for tocolytic use was 0.2% in the first hour and declined over time to 0.03% in the fourth hour after the first dose. Urgent cesarean delivery occurred in 0.1% of patients after receiving the first dose of misoprostol. Patients who did not experience variable, prolonged, or late decelerations in the first hour after the initial misoprostol dose were less likely to have such FHT abnormalities in the subsequent three hours compared to patients who had other FHT abnormalities (11.8% among patients with no FHT abnormalities vs. 43.7% among patients with other FHT abnormalities; p <.001). The overall trends in outcomes over time were similar after the second dose of misoprostol.

CONCLUSION

The risk of short-term adverse outcomes associated with misoprostol is low among relatively low-risk patients. FHT abnormalities occurred in up to 32% of patients in the first four hours of monitoring post-misoprostol. Patients with no FHT abnormalities in the first hour after receiving misoprostol had a low risk of developing adverse outcomes and FHT abnormalities on continued monitoring, while patients with any type of deceleration in the first hour were at higher risk of adverse outcomes and FHT abnormalities. Our data may inform the development of protocols for cervical ripening that allow reduced monitoring for a subset of low-risk patients, however, more research is needed to validate findings and develop clinical protocols.

Three-tiered fetal heart rate interpretation system and adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the rate of adverse neonatal or maternal outcomes in parturients with fetal heart rate tracings categorized as I, II or, III within the last 30 to 120 minutes of delivery.

DATA SOURCES

The MEDLINE Ovid, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched electronically up to May 2022, using combinations of the relevant medical subject heading terms, keywords, and word variants that were considered suitable for the topic.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Only observational studies of term infants reporting outcomes of interest with category I, II, or III fetal heart rate tracings were included.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

The coprimary outcome was the rate of either Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes or umbilical artery pH <7.00. Secondary outcomes were divided into neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effect meta-analyses of proportions were used to estimate the pooled rates of each categorical outcome in fetal heart rate tracing category I, II, and III patterns, and random-effect head-to-head meta-analyses were used to directly compare fetal heart rate tracings category I vs II and fetal heart rate tracing category II vs III, expressing the results as summary odds ratio or as mean differences with relative 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Of the 671 articles reviewed, 3 publications met the inclusion criteria. Among them were 47,648 singletons at ≥37 weeks' gestation. Fetal heart rate tracings in the last 30 to 120 minutes before delivery were characterized in the following manner: 27.0% of deliveries had category I tracings, 72.9% had category II tracings, and 0.1% had category III tracings. A single study, which was rated to be of poor quality, contributed 82.1% of the data and it did not provide any data for category III fetal heart rate tracings. When compared with category I fetal heart rate tracings (0.74%), the incidence of an Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes were significantly higher among deliveries with category II fetal heart rate tracings (1.51%) (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.99) and among those with category III tracings (14.63%) (odds ratio, 14.46; 95% confidence interval, 2.77-75.39). When compared with category II tracings, category III tracings also had a significantly higher likelihood of a low Apgar score at 5 minutes (odds ratio, 14.46; 95% confidence interval, 2.77-75.39). The incidence of an umbilical artery pH <7.00 were similar among those with category I and those with category II tracings (0.08% vs 0.24%; odds ratio, 2.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-19.55). When compared with category I tracings, the incidence of an umbilical artery pH <7.00 was significantly more common among those with category III tracings (31.04%; odds ratio, 161.56; 95% confidence interval, 25.18-1036.42); likewise, when compared with those with category II tracings, those with category III tracings had a significantly higher likelihood of having an umbilical artery pH <7.00 (odds ratio, 42.29; 95% confidence interval, 14.29-125.10). Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy occurred with similar frequency among those with categories I and those with category II tracings (0 vs 0.81%; odds ratio, 5.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-45.89) but was significantly more common among those with category III tracings (0 vs 18.97%; odds ratio, 61.43; 95% confidence interval, 7.49-503.50). Cesarean delivery occurred with similar frequency among those with category I (13.41%) and those with category II tracings (11.92%) (odds ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.05) but was significantly more common among those with with category III tracings (14.28%) (odds ratio, 3.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.62-9.75). When compared with those with category II tracings, cesarean delivery was more common among those with category III tracings (odds ratio, 4.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.88-11.01).

CONCLUSION

Although the incidence of an Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes and umbilical artery pH <7.00 increased significantly with increasing fetal heart rate tracing category, about 98% of newborns with category II tracings do not have these adverse outcomes. The 3-tiered fetal heart rate tracing interpretation system provides an approximate but imprecise measurement of neonatal prognosis.

Heterogeneity in management of category II fetal tracings: data from a multihospital healthcare system

BACKGROUND

Electronic fetal monitoring is widely used to identify and intervene in suspected fetal hypoxia and/or acidemia. Category II fetal heart rate tracings are the most common class of fetal monitoring in labor, and intrauterine resuscitation is recommended given the association of category II fetal heart rate tracings with fetal acidemia. However, limited published data are available to guide intrauterine resuscitation technique selection, leading to heterogeneity in the response to category II fetal heart rate tracings.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to characterize approaches to intrauterine resuscitation in response to category II fetal heart rate tracings.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a survey study administered to labor unit nurses and delivering clinicians (physicians and midwives) across 7 hospitals in a Midwestern healthcare system spanning 2 states. The survey posed 3 category II fetal heart rate tracing scenarios (recurrent late decelerations, minimal variability, and recurrent variable decelerations) and asked participants to select first- and second-line intrauterine resuscitation management strategies. The participants were asked to quantify the level of influence certain factors have on their choice using a scale from 1 to 5. Intrauterine resuscitation strategy selection was compared by clinical role and hospital type (nurses vs delivering clinicians and university-affiliated hospital vs non-university-affiliated hospital).

RESULTS

Of 610 providers invited to take the survey, 163 participated (response rate of 27%): 37% of participants from university-affiliated hospitals, 62% of nurses, and 37% of physicians. Maternal repositioning was the most selected first-line strategy, regardless of the type of category II fetal heart rate tracing. First-line management varied by clinical role and hospital affiliation for each fetal heart rate tracing scenario, particularly for minimal variability, which was associated with the most heterogeneity in the first-line approach. Previous experience and recommendations from professional societies were the most influential factors in intrauterine resuscitation selection overall. Of note, 16.5% of participants reported that published evidence did not influence their choice at all. Participants from a university-affiliated hospital were more likely than participants from a non-university-affiliated hospital to consider patient preference when selecting an intrauterine resuscitation technique. Nurses and delivering clinicians differed significantly in the rationale for management choices: nurses were more often influenced by advice from other healthcare providers on the team (P<.001), whereas delivering clinicians were more influenced by literature (P=.02) and ease of technique (P=.02).

CONCLUSION

There was significant heterogeneity in the management of category II fetal heart rate tracing. In addition, motivations for choice in intrauterine resuscitation technique varied by hospital type and clinical role. These factors should be considered when creating fetal monitoring and intrauterine resuscitation protocols.

Clinical practice guidelines for intrapartum cardiotocography interpretation: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Clinical practice guidelines on intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) interpretation provide structured tools to detect fetal hypoxia. Despite frequent use of different guidelines, little is known about their comparable consistency. We sought to appraise guidelines relevant to intrapartum CTG interpretation and summarise consensus and non-consensus recommendations.

AIMS

To compare existing intrapartum CTG interpretation guidelines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, guideline databases and websites of guideline development institutions using terms 'cardiotocography', 'electronic fetal/foetal monitoring', and 'guideline' or equivalent term. The search was restricted to English-language articles published between January 1980 and January 2023 and excluded animal studies. The initial search yielded 2128 articles with 1253 unique citations. Guidelines were included if they: used English as the reporting language; included CTG interpretation criteria or guidelines as a primary objective; were published or updated since 1980; and were the most recently updated publications when multiple versions were identified.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were considered for full review, and 13 met inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently assessed guideline quality using the AGREE II instrument, and synthesised consensus and non-consensus recommendations using the content analysis approach. Most guidelines employed a three-tier interpretation framework. There were significant differences between the guidelines for relative importance of key CTG features such as accelerations, decelerations and variability, with respect to the outcome of fetal hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant differences between key intrapartum CTG interpretation guidelines currently being used. Greater consistency is needed across CTG interpretation guidelines to improve the quality of data, clinical governance, monitoring of outcomes, and to support future developments.

Accuracy of intrapartum cardiotocography in identifying fetal acidemia by umbilical cord blood analysis in low-risk pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of intrapartum cardiotocography in identifying fetal acidemia by umbilical cord blood analysis in low-risk pregnancies.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of low-risk singleton pregnancies in labor after performing intrapartum cardiotocography categories I, II, and III. The presence of fetal acidemia at birth was identified by analyzing the pH of umbilical cord arterial blood (pH<7.1).

RESULTS

No significant effect of the cardiotocography category on the arterial (p=0.543) and venous (p=0.770) pH of umbilical cord blood was observed. No significant association was observed between the cardiotocography category and the presence of fetal acidemia (p=0.706), 1-min Apgar score <7 (p=0.260), hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (p=0.605), newborn death within the first 48 h, need for neonatal resuscitation (p=0.637), and adverse perinatal outcomes (p=0.373). Sensitivities of 62, 31, and 6.0%; positive predictive values of 11.0, 16.0, and 10.0%; and negative predictive values of 85, 89.0, and 87.0% were observed for cardiotocography categories I, II, and III, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The three categories of intrapartum cardiotocography presented low sensitivities and high negative predictive values to identify fetal acidemia at birth in low-risk pregnancies.

Comparison of the predictive ability for perinatal acidemia in neonates between the NICHD 3-tier FHR system combined with clinical risk factors and the fetal reserve index

BACKGROUND

Electronic fetal monitoring alone is a poor screening test for detecting fetuses at risk of acidemia or asphyxia. We aimed to evaluation of predictive ability of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) 3-tier fetal heart rate (FHR) system combined with the maternal, obstetric, and fetal risk factors for predicting perinatal acidemia, and to compare this with the predictive of the NICHD 3-tier system alone, and the Fetal Reserve Index (FRI).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted among singleton term pregnant women. Fetal heart rate tracings of the last two hours before delivery were interpreted into the NICHD 3-tier FHR classification system by two experienced obstetricians. Demographic data were compared using the χ2 or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and the Student's t test for continuous variables. Logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with perinatal acidemia in neonates. The Odds ratios (OR) and probabilities with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 674 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Using the NICHD 3-tier FHR categories I and II combined with the selected risk factors (AUC 0.62) had a better performance for perinatal acidemia prediction than the NICHD 3-tier FHR alone (AUC 0.55) and the FRI (AUC 0.52), (P<0.01). Improvement of predicting perinatal acidemia was found when NICHD category I was combined with preeclampsia or arrest disorders of labor (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.30‒7.82) or combined with abnormal second stage of labor (OR 6.19, 95% CI 1.07‒36.06) and when NICHD category II was combined with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR 4.73, 95% CI 2.17‒10.31).

CONCLUSIONS

The NICHD 3-tier FHR categories I or II combined with selected risk factors can improve the predictive ability of perinatal acidemia in neonates compared with the NICHD 3-tier system alone or the FRI.

Perinatal maternal characteristics predict a high risk of neonatal asphyxia: A multi-center retrospective cohort study in China

Objective

This study aimed to identify various perinatal maternal characteristics that contributed to neonatal asphyxia (NA) in term and late-preterm newborns based on the data obtained from a Chinese birth registry cohort and to establish an effective model for predicting a high risk of asphyxia.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the birth database from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017, in the main economically developed regions of China. Asphyxia was defined as an Apgar score <7 at 5 min post-delivery with umbilical cord arterial blood pH < 7.2 in the infant born after 34weeks. We compared the perinatal maternal characteristics of the newborns who developed asphyxia (NA group, n = 1,152) and those who did not (no NA group, n = 86,393). Candidate predictors of NA were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Subsequently, a prediction model was developed and validated by an independent test group.

Result

Of the maternal characteristics, duration of PROM ≥ 48 h, a gestational week at birth <37, prolonged duration of labor, hypertensive disorder, nuchal cord, and birth weight <2,500 or ≥4,000 g, abnormal fetal heart rate, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and placenta previa were included in the predicting model, which presented a good performance in external validation (c-statistic of 0.731).

Conclusion

Our model relied heavily on clinical predictors that may be determined before or during birth, and pregnant women at high risk of NA might be recognized earlier in pregnancy and childbirth using this methodology, allowing them to avoid being neglected and delayed. Future studies should be conducted to assess its usefulness.

Tadalafil treatment for fetuses with early-onset growth restriction: a protocol for a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase II trial (TADAFER IIb)

INTRODUCTION

TheTADAlafil treatment for Fetuses with early-onset growth Restriction: multicentrer, randomizsed, phase II trial (TADAFER II) study showed the possibility of prolonging the pregnancy period in cases of early-onset fetal growth restriction; however, it was an open-label study. To establish further evidence for the efficacy of tadalafil in this setting, we planned a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This trial will be conducted in 180 fetuses with fetal growth restriction enrolled from medical centres in Japan; their mothers will be randomised into three groups: arm A, receiving two times per day placebo; arm B, receiving one time per day 20 mg tadalafil and one time per day placebo and arm C, receiving 20 mg two times per day tadalafil. The primary endpoint is the prolongation of gestational age at birth, defined as days from the first day of the protocol-defined treatment to birth. To minimise bias in terms of fetal baseline conditions and timing of delivery, a fetal indication for delivery as in TADAFER II will be established in this trial. The investigator will evaluate fetal baseline conditions at enrolment and decide the timing of delivery based on this indication.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by Mie University Hospital Clinical Research Review Board on 22 July 2019 (S2018-007). Written informed consent will be obtained from all mothers before recruitment. Our findings will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

jRCTs041190065.

Application of a Proposed Algorithm to Cesarean Deliveries for Nonreassuring Fetal Heart Rate Tracing

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study is to evaluate how current management of Category II fetal heart rate tracings compares with that suggested by a published algorithm and whether these differences lead to disparate neonatal outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective observational study from the resident service at an academic-community tertiary care center from 2013 to 2018. We reviewed archived fetal heart rate tracings from patients with cesarean delivery performed for nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracing and interpreted tracings against the algorithm. We assigned tracings to one of three categories: Group A-consistent; Group B-inconsistent too early (algorithm permits the patient to labor longer); Group C-inconsistent too late (algorithm suggests performing the cesarean delivery sooner). Maternal demographics, features of labor, and neonatal outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Of the 110 cases, 27 (24.5%) had a cesarean delivery performed in group A, 49 (44.5%) in group B, and 34 (30.9%) in group C. Baseline characteristics were similar. Of the 49 in group B, 46 (93.9%) violated the algorithm at the same branchpoint. In group C, cesarean deliveries would have been performed on average 244 minutes earlier had the algorithm been used. Neonatal outcomes were not significantly different among the groups, including 5-minute Apgar <7, pH <7.1, and NICU admit.

CONCLUSION

Our retrospective application of the algorithm showed that 44.5% of patients who have cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracing may be able to labor longer and that violation at a common decision point on the algorithm (moderate variability or accelerations, but a lack of recurrent decelerations) is responsible for nearly all such cesarean deliveries. More studies are needed to evaluate if cesarean delivery rates for nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracing can be reduced without impacting neonatal outcomes using the algorithm.

KEY POINTS

· There is a potential to further standardize management of Category II fetal heart rate tracings.. · In our practice, 25% of cesareans performed for fetal distress were consistent with the algorithm.. · A subset of patients (45%) with cesarean for fetal distress may have been able to labor longer..

Physiological control of fetal heart rate variability during labour: Implications and controversies

The interpretation of fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns is the only available method to continuously monitor fetal wellbeing during labour. One of the most important yet contentious aspects of the FHR pattern is changes in FHR variability (FHRV). Some clinical studies suggest that loss of FHRV during labour is a sign of fetal compromise so this is reflected in practice guidelines. Surprisingly, there is little systematic evidence to support this observation. In this review we methodically dissect the potential pathways controlling FHRV during labour-like hypoxaemia. Before labour, FHRV is controlled by the combined activity of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, in part regulated by a complex interplay between fetal sleep state and behaviour. By contrast, preclinical studies using multiple autonomic blockades have now shown that sympathetic neural control of FHRV was potently suppressed between periods of labour-like hypoxaemia, and thus, that the parasympathetic system is the sole neural regulator of FHRV once FHR decelerations are present during labour. We further discuss the pattern of changes in FHRV during progressive fetal compromise and highlight potential biochemical, behavioural and clinical factors that may regulate parasympathetic-mediated FHRV during labour. Further studies are needed to investigate the regulators of parasympathetic activity to better understand the dynamic changes in FHRV and their true utility during labour. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic capacity and interobserver variability in FIGO, ACOG, NICE and Chandraharan cardiotocographic guidelines to predict neonatal acidemia

OBJECTIVE

Despite its routine use in intrapartum care, the technique of fetal cardiotocography has some limitations. The aim of this study is to analyze the predictive capacity and interobserver agreement in the latest versions of four international cardiotocography guidelines: Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Chandraharan, used to predict neonatal acidemia.

STUDY DESIGN

The last 30 min of 150 cardiotocographic records were analyzed over all the pH ranges and were blindly evaluated by three independent reviewers. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated to assess the predictive capacity of each fetal cardiotocographic guideline. The degree of interobserver agreement was evaluated with the Fleiss Kappa coefficient.

RESULTS

Observers found fetal cardiotocography guidelines to have a variable sensitivity and specificity. The Chandraharan classification reached the highest sensitivity (78.79%), while ACOG had the highest specificity (95.73%). On average for the three observers, Chandraharan had the highest discrimination capacity for neonatal acidemia, although this was only moderate (AUC 0.66; 95%CI, 0.55-0.77) and did not differ significantly from the remaining guidelines. The degree of agreement among the three observers, assessed according to the Fleiss Kappa coefficient, was generally acceptable or moderate for all items and classifications, being highest with the FIGO classification (ĸ = 0.35; 95%CI, 0.28-0.41) and lowest with the ACOG (ĸ = 0.23; 95%CI, 0.16-0.30).

CONCLUSION

Although all the guidelines have a moderate capacity to predict neonatal acidemia, the Chandraharan guideline has the highest capacity. This follows a different approach from the others in that it relies on interpretations of cardiotocographic traces based on fetal physiology. The degree of interobserver agreement is, in general, acceptable for the four guidelines, and is the highest for FIGO.

Interpretation of Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring in the Clinical Context

Use of intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring has had limited success in preventing hypoxic injury to neonates. One of the most common limitations of FHR interpretation is the failure to consider chronic and acute clinical factors that may increase the risk of evolving acidemia. This manuscript reviews common clinical factors that may affect the FHR and should be considered when determining the need for early intervention based on changes in the FHR.

Management of the Category II Fetal Heart Rate Tracing

Management of the category II fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing presents a common challenge in obstetrics. Up to 80% of women will have a category II FHR tracing at some point during labor. Here we propose a management algorithm to identify specific features of the FHR tracing that correlate with risk for fetal acidemia, target interventions to address FHR decelerations, and guide clinicians about when to proceed toward operative vaginal delivery or cesarean to achieve delivery before there is a high risk for significant fetal acidemia with potential for neurological injury or death.

Time to reconsider: Have the 2015 FIGO and 2017 Swedish intrapartum cardiotocogram classifications led us from Charybdis to Scylla?

In 2015, FIGO revised the 1987 intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) classification (FIGO1987). A less radical FIGO2015 version was introduced in Sweden 2017 (SWE2017). Now, post hoc simulation studies show that FIGO2015 and SWE2017 are less reliable than (a modified) FIGO1987. FIGO2015 shows significantly better interobserver agreement for normal CTG traces than FIGO1987, but significantly worse for pathological traces. Agreements between templates are moderate to good, but different classifications of mainly variable decelerations and tachycardia cause significant heterogeneities. FIGO2015 shows insufficient sensitivity to identify fetal acidemia compared with FIGO1987. In connection with fetal electrocardiogram ST analysis, one study showed no template was superior in identifying fetal acidemia, but in a series of only academia, FIGO1987 had significantly higher sensitivity than FIGO2015 (73% vs. 43%) and set of an alarm for fetal acidemia considerably earlier. With SWE2017, operative interventions declined significantly in Sweden but several adverse neonatal outcomes increased significantly. It remains to investigate the development with FIGO2015.

Timing intrapartum management based on the evolution and duration of fetal heart rate patterns

One of the most important challenges in obstetrics is to determine the appropriate time to deliver the fetus without exposing the mother to unnecessary operative interventions. The use of continuous cardiotocography (cCTG) during labor has resulted in dramatic reductions in intrapartum fetal deaths, but fetal central nervous system (CNS) injury and cerebral palsy (CP) rates have remain relatively unchanged as related to the use of cCTG . In our view, this is due to continuing inability to recognize progressive fetal deterioration and intervene promptly prior to the development of fetal CNS injury. Although the 2008 NICHD workshop proposed a 3-tier classification system, most fetuses born with severe (pathologic) acidemia (cord artery pH < 7.00), as well as those who eventually develop CP, will never reach the stage of NICHD Category III fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern. In the present "Clinical Opinion," we promote a concept derived from observations, that the evolution of the FHR changes of the deteriorating fetus can be visually defined by three color "zones" that are clinically recognizable and, therefore, are actionable. In addition, we will review information regarding how long the fetus may be able to tolerate an abnormal FHR pattern before it suffers an adverse perinatal outcome, an area of investigation that has been rarely addressed before. Based on the available evidence, Category III FHR patterns should not be used as screening criteria because of low sensitivity for either fetal CNS injury (45%) or severe (pathologic) fetal acidemia (36-44%). In addition, the duration of the Category III pattern required for the development of severe fetal acidemia is extremely short to allow for a timely preventative operative intervention. On the contrary, the use of our proposed "red" zone, which includes the most advanced stages in the progressive deterioration of Category II patterns and Category III, will identify the overwhelming majority of fetuses who develop severe (pathologic) acidemia (96%) and/or CNS injury during labor (100%); moreover, the detection of fetal jeopardy by the use of the "red" zone occurs much earlier, as compared to using Category III, thus allowing reasonable amount of time for a timely obstetrical intervention. Further research is needed to determine the false positive rate and positive predictive value for a pre-determined period of time in the red zone.

iPREFACE score: Integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring

AIM

Cardiotocography is used worldwide to evaluate fetal well-being during pregnancy and labor. In past guidelines, the management plan was determined based on the assessment of the most severe waveform. There are no guidelines for evaluating the integrated recurrent decelerations; however, we believe their assessment to be essential for predicting the status of the fetus. The objective of this study was to propose an indicator for performing medical interventions during labor by creating a scoring system that reflects integrated recurrent decelerations.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we included data for only full-term single fetus births from vaginal deliveries. The score named the iPREFACE score (integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring) was calculated using cardiotocography findings from continuing 30 min before delivery. We examined the iPREFACE score and fetal acidemia association and calculated the cut-off iPREFACE scores for acidemia using receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

The study included 469 delivery cases. Their iPREFACE scores exhibited a significant negative correlation with the umbilical artery blood pH (correlation coefficient; -0.43). The cut-off iPREFACE scores for the umbilical artery blood with pH <7.20, <7.10 and <7.0 were 44, 46 and 67, respectively (the areas under the curve were 0.776, 0.962 and 0.996, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The iPREFACE score may predict fetal acidemia and could be used as an indicator for timely medical interventions during labor. Because assessments using a cardiotocography are quick and easy to perform, the iPREFACE score could be a valuable tool in clinical practice.

Fetal heart rate pattern in term or near-term cerebral palsy: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

It is crucial to interpret fetal heart rate patterns with a focus on the pattern evolution during labor to estimate the relationship between cerebral palsy and delivery. However, nationwide data are not available.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to demonstrate the features of fetal heart rate pattern evolution and estimate the timing of fetal brain injury during labor in cerebral palsy cases.

STUDY DESIGN

In this longitudinal study, 1069 consecutive intrapartum fetal heart rate strips from infants with severe cerebral palsy at or beyond 34 weeks of gestation, were analyzed. They were categorized as follows: (1) continuous bradycardia (Bradycardia), (2) persistently nonreassuring, (3) reassuring-prolonged deceleration, (4) Hon's pattern, and (5) persistently reassuring. The clinical factors underlying cerebral palsy in each group were assessed.

RESULTS

Hypoxic brain injury during labor (those in the reassuring-prolonged deceleration and Hon's pattern groups) accounted for 31.5% of severe cerebral palsy cases and at least 30% of those developed during the antenatal period. Of the 1069 cases, 7.86% were classified as continuous bradycardia (n=84), 21.7% as persistently nonreassuring (n=232), 15.6% as reassuring-prolonged deceleration (n=167), 15.9% as Hon's pattern (n=170), 19.8% as persistently reassuring (n=212), and 19.1% were unclassified (n=204). The overall interobserver agreement was moderate (kappa 0.59). Placental abruption was the most common cause (31.9%) of cerebral palsy, accounting for almost 90% of cases in the continuous bradycardia group (64 of 73). Among the cases in the Hon's pattern group (n=67), umbilical cord abnormalities were the most common clinical factor for cerebral palsy development (29.9%), followed by placental abruption (20.9%), and inappropriate operative vaginal delivery (13.4%).

CONCLUSION

Intrapartum hypoxic brain injury accounted for approximately 30% of severe cerebral palsy cases, whereas a substantial proportion of the cases were suspected to have either a prenatal or postnatal onset. Up to 16% of cerebral palsy cases may be preventable by placing a greater focus on the earlier changes seen in the Hon's fetal heart rate progression.

Low sensitivity of the new FIGO classification system for electronic fetal monitoring to identify fetal acidosis in the second stage of labor

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Cardiotocography interpretation guidelines evaluated during second stage of labor.

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Case-control study including neonates with cord artery acidosis at vaginal delivery.

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Low sensitivity of FIGO intrapartum monitoring guidelines to detect acidosis.

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The Swedish 2009 template had a high sensitivity.

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The Swedish 2017 template had a high sensitivity with cut-off set at suspicious.

Objective

In 2015, new FIGO guidelines for CTG interpretation were presented (FIGO-15). In 2017, the previous Swedish guidelines (SWE-09) were replaced with guidelines adapted to FIGOs (SWE-17). The performance of these three templates had not been scientifically evaluated before its clinical implementation. The objective of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity to detect fetal acidosis at birth using these three templates during the second stage of labor.

Study design

This case-control study included 295 neonates with cord blood pH < 7.05 and 591 controls with pH ≥ 7.15, born 2012−2017. Tracings from the last 30−80 min of labor were classified independently by three assessors (midwives, residents and obstetricians), blinded to group and outcome.

Results

The classification pathological using FIGO-15 had a sensitivity of 50 % and specificity of 88 % in detecting fetuses with acidosis. For SWE-17, the sensitivity was 62 % and the specificity 85 %. For SWE-09 the sensitivity was 87 % and the specificity 56 %.

By combining suspicious and pathological patterns the sensitivity for FIGO-15 increased to 97 %, and for SWE-17 to 83 %, whereas the specificity decreased to 23 % and 68 % respectively.

Conclusions

The FIGO classification seemed to be insufficiently discriminative in the second stage of labor; most patterns in acidotic cases were classified as merely suspicious with this template, and the sensitivity of pathological patterns was low at 50 %. Combined pathological and suspicious patterns detected fetal acidosis at a specificity that was too low to be useful (23 %). SWE-09 showed the best ability to detect acidosis with pathological patterns (sensitivity 87 %). SWE-17 reached almost the same sensitivity (83 %) with the combination of suspicious and pathological patterns, and at a higher specificity (68 %).

Entropy Profiling for Detection of Fetal Arrhythmias in Short Length Fetal Heart Rate Recordings

The use of fetal heart rate (FHR) recordings for assessing fetal wellbeing is an integral component of obstetric care. Recently, non-invasive fetal electrocardiography (NI-FECG) has demonstrated utility for accurately diagnosing fetal arrhythmias via clinician interpretation. In this work, we introduce the use of data-driven entropy profiling to automatically detect fetal arrhythmias in short length FHR recordings obtained via NI-FECG. Using an open access dataset of 11 normal and 11 arrhythmic fetuses, our method (TotalSampEn) achieves excellent classification performance (AUC = 0.98) for detecting fetal arrhythmias in a short time window (i.e. under 10 minutes). We demonstrate that our method outperforms SampEn (AUC = 0.72) and FuzzyEn (AUC = 0.74) based estimates, proving its effectiveness for this task. The rapid detection provided by our approach may enable efficient triage of concerning FHR recordings for clinician review.

Intrapartum zigzag pattern of fetal heart rate is an early sign of fetal hypoxia: A large obstetric retrospective cohort study

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to identify possible associations of fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns during the last 2 hours of labor with fetal asphyxia expressed by umbilical artery acidemia at birth and with neonatal complications in a large obstetric cohort.

Material and methods

Cardiotocographic recordings from 4988 singleton term childbirths over 1 year were evaluated retrospectively and blinded to the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in a university teaching hospital in Helsinki, Finland. Umbilical artery pH, base excess and pO₂, low Apgar scores at 5 minutes, need for intubation and resuscitation, early neonatal hypoglycemia, and neonatal encephalopathy were used as outcome variables. According to the severity of the neonatal complications at birth, the cohort was divided into three groups: no complications (Group 1), moderate complications (Group 2) and severe complications (Group 3).

Results

Of the 4988 deliveries, the ZigZag pattern (FHR baseline amplitude changes of >25 bpm with a duration of 2‐30 minutes) occurred in 11.7%, late decelerations in 41.0%, bradycardia episodes in 52.9%, reduced variability in 36.7%, tachycardia episodes in 13.9% and uterine tachysystole in 4.6%. No case of saltatory pattern (baseline amplitude changes of >25 bpm with a duration of >30 minutes) was observed. The presence of the ZigZag pattern or late decelerations, or both, was associated with cord blood acidemia (odds ratio [OR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3‐4.7) and severe neonatal complications (Group 3) (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.4‐4.9). In contrast, no significant associations existed between the other FHR patterns and severe neonatal complications. ZigZag pattern preceded late decelerations in 88.7% of the cases. A normal FHR preceded the ZigZag pattern in 90.4% of the cases, whereas after ZigZag episodes, a normal FHR pattern was observed in only 0.9%.

Conclusions

ZigZag pattern and late decelerations during the last 2 hours of labor are significantly associated with cord blood acidemia at birth and neonatal complications. The ZigZag pattern precedes late decelerations, and the fact that normal FHR pattern precedes the ZigZag pattern in the majority of the cases suggests that the ZigZag pattern is an early sign of fetal hypoxia, which emphasizes its clinical importance.

Near-infrared spectroscopy of the placenta for monitoring fetal oxygenation during labour

Although being the golden standard for intrapartum fetal surveillance, cardiotocography (CTG) has been shown to have poor specificity for detecting fetal acidosis. Non-invasive near-infrared-spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring of placental oxygenation during labour has not been studied yet. The objective of the study was to determine whether changes in placental NIRS values during labour could identify intrapartum fetal hypoxia and resulting acidosis. We included 43 healthy women in active stage of labour at term. CTG and NIRS parameters in groups with vs. without neonatal umbilical artery pH ≤ 7.20 were compared using Mann-Whitney-U. Receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curves were used to estimate predictive value of CTG and NIRS parameters for neonatal pH ≤ 7.20. A computer-based statistical classification was also performed to further evaluate predictive values of CTG and NIRS for neonatal acidosis. Ten (23%) neonates were born with umbilical artery pH ≤ 7.20. Compared to group with pH > 7.20, fetal acidosis was associated with more episodes of placental NIRS deoxygenation (9 (range 2-37) vs. 2 (range 0-65); p<0.001), higher velocity of placental NIRS deoxygenation (2.31 (range 0-22) vs. 1 (range 0-49) %/s; p = 0.03), more decelerations on CTG (25 (range 3-91) vs. 10 (range 10-60); p = 0.02), and more prolonged decelerations on CTG (2 (range 0-4) vs. 1 (range 0-3); p = 0.04). Number of placental deoxygenations had the highest prognostic value for fetal/neonatal acidosis (area under the ROC curve 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.70-0.99). Computer-based classification also identified number of placental deoxygenations as the most accurate classifier, with 25% false positive and 93% true positive rate in the training dataset, with 100% accuracy when applied to the testing dataset. Placental deoxygenations during labour measured by NIRS are associated with fetal/neonatal acidosis. Predictive value of placental NIRS for neonatal acidosis was superior to that of CTG.

Response to category II tracings: Does anything help?

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is the most commonly used tool to screen for intrapartum fetal hypoxia. Category II EFM is present in over 80% of laboring patients and poses a unique challenge to management given the breadth of EFM features that fall within this category. Certain Category II patterns, such as recurrent late or recurrent variable decelerations, are more predictive of neonatal acidemia than others. A key feature among many published algorithms for Category II management is the use of intrauterine fetal resuscitation techniques including maternal oxygen administration, amnioinfusion, intravenous fluid bolus, discontinuation of oxytocin, and tocolytic administration. The goal of intrauterine resuscitation is to prevent or reverse fetal hypoxia. This is most likely to be successful if the etiology of the Category II EFM pattern is identified and targeted resuscitative measures are performed.

Evaluation of 3-tier and 5-tier FHR pattern classifications using umbilical blood pH and base excess at delivery

Objective

The relevance between time-series fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern changes during labor and outcomes such as arterial blood gas data at delivery has not been studied. Using 3-tier and 5-tier classification systems, we studied the relationship between time-series FHR pattern changes before delivery and umbilical artery blood gas data at delivery.

Methods

The subjects were 1,909 low-risk women with vaginal delivery (age: 29.1 ± 4.4 years, parity: 1.7 ± 0.8). FHR patterns were classified by a skilled obstetrician based on each 10 min-segment of the last 60 min before delivery from continuous CTG records in an obstetric clinic.

Results

The relationship between each 10 min-segment FHR pattern classification from 60 minutes before delivery and umbilical artery blood pH and base excess (BE) values at delivery changed with time. In the 3-tier classification, mean pH of Category I group in each 10 min-segment was significantly higher than that of Category II group. For Category I groups in each 10-minute segment, its number decreased and its average pH increased as the delivery time approached. In the 5-tier classification, there was the same tendency. About each level group in 10 min-segment, the higher the level, the lower the blood gas values, and mean pH of higher level groups decreased as the delivery time approached.

Conclusions

The relationship between classifications and outcomes was clear at any time from 60 min before delivery in 3- and 5-tier classifications, and the 5-tier classification was more relevant.

Cumulative deceleration area: a simplified predictor of metabolic acidemia

OBJECTIVE

Fetal monitoring, ubiquitous in obstetrics is used to predict and prevent intrapartum fetal injury. Despite decades of education and nomenclature revision, clinicians show low agreement on key elements, including the types of deceleration and hence their presumed etiology. Cumulative deceleration area is not dependent on deceleration type and could potentially mitigate this problem. Although deceleration area has shown promise as a marker of acidemia, no reports have shown how deceleration area evolves in late labor. Advances in computerization allow for direct measurement of deceleration area and standard fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns. The objective of this study was to compare the evolution and discrimination performance of deceleration area and other FHR patterns in late labor in term neonates with metabolic acidemia (MA) and in those with normal cord gases.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included women with a term singleton (≥37 weeks) in cephalic presentation with cord gas data and FHR tracings available for analysis. MA included neonates with an umbilical artery base deficit >12 mmol/L (n = 132). Controls included those with normal cord gases (base deficit <8 mmol/L) and a 5-minute Apgar score of >6 (n = 1498). Deceleration area and other FHR patterns were summarized and compared in 30-minute segments over the last five hours. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were constructed and AUCs compared.

RESULTS

Deceleration area had the highest AUC (0.702, 95% CI 0.655-0.749) and was a superior marker of MA compared to baseline (AUC 0.588, 95% CI 0.530-0.645), baseline variability (AUC 0.611, 95% CI 0.558-0.663), and number of late decelerations (AUC 0.582, 95% CI 0.527-0.637).

CONCLUSION

Cumulative deceleration area reduces the necessity to determine deceleration type. In a single number, it objectively quantifies three important aspects of decelerations; frequency, depth and duration and was a superior marker of MA compared to baseline level, baseline variability and number of late decelerations. The acidemia group had higher deceleration area over the last two hours prior to delivery. This result indicates that the cumulative area and persistence of repetitive decelerations is important clinically.

Intrapartum cardiotocogram monitoring between obstetricians and computer analysis

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of computer analysis and its features to be used as a fu fetal heart rate (FHR) interpretation method in clinical settings.Methods: The Trium CTG Online® was used as the computer analysis software. Twenty-six cases of intrapartum FHR tracings (total time, 6900 min) were randomly selected from third-trimester pregnancies. Three obstetricians blinded to the patients' clinical information traced the decelerations, variability, and baseline cardiotocogram (CTG) data. Three obstetrician observer individually interpreted the data and only the waveforms they interpreted were adopted. The agreement between the deceleration and baseline, variability, and level of five-tier system was estimated. Weighted kappa (κ) statistics were used to assess reliability.Results: Based on the observers and Trium's classification, κ was 0.78 and the strength of agreement level was substantial. The obstetricians and Trium mostly agreed on the variability and baseline data. However, κ of each deceleration was approximately 0.65 (0.63-0.66), with substantial strength of agreement.Conclusion: Based on the obstetricians and Trium's interpretation, the latter was found to be excellent for FHR interpretation. However, it was difficult for Trium to interpret specific waveform patterns. Therefore, clinical staff should understand these characteristics to more sensitively evaluate the fetal well-being.

TADAFER II: Tadalafil treatment for fetal growth restriction - a study protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled phase II trial

INTRODUCTION

There is no proven therapy to reverse or ameliorate fetal growth restriction (FGR). Sildenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, has been reported to potentially play a therapeutic role in FGR, but this has not been established. Tadalafil is also a selective PDE5 inhibitor. We have demonstrated the efficacy of tadalafil against FGR along with short-term outcomes and the feasibility of tadalafil treatment. Based on the hypothesis that tadalafil will safely increase the likelihood of increased fetal growth in FGR, we designed this phase II study to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of tadalafil against FGR.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study is a multicentre, randomised controlled phase II trial. A total of 140 fetuses with FGR will be enrolled from medical centres in Japan. Fetuses will be randomised to receive either the conventional management for FGR or a once-daily treatment with 20 mg of tadalafil along with the conventional management until delivery. The primary endpoint is fetal growth velocity from the first day of the protocol-defined treatment to birth (g/day). To minimise bias in terms of fetal baseline conditions and timing of delivery, a fetal indication for delivery was established in this study. The investigator will evaluate fetal baseline conditions at enrolment and will decide the timing of delivery based on this fetal indication. Infants will be followed up for development until 1.5 years of age.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Mie University Hospital and each participating institution. Our findings will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000023778.

Non-reassuring foetal status and neonatal irritability in the Japan Environment and Children's Study: A cohort study

The aim of this study was to investigate whether non-reassuring foetal status (NRFS) affected an infant's temperament, or if the temperament formed prenatally resulted in an excessive heart rate reaction that was diagnosed as NRFS. We examined the correlation between NRFS and difficulty in holding a baby, and the amount of crying in the one month after birth, which was considered an indicator of the newborn's temperament. We divided the cases with NRFS into positive NRFS and false positive NRFS. NRFS was associated with bad mood, frequent crying for a long duration, and intense crying. After adjustment for other covariates, NRFS was associated with bad mood (odds ratio, OR = 1.15, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.00-1.33), and intense crying (1.12, 1.02-1.24). In the multi-variable model, positive and false positive NRFS were not clearly associated with neonatal irritability. When stratified by parity, NRFS and false positive NRFS were likely to be positively associated with neonatal irritability in parous women. The clear association between NRFS and intense crying was observed in parous women (multi-variable adjusted OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.16-1.83), but not in nulliparae (1.01, 0.91-1.12) (p for effect modification <0.01). Similarly, increased odds of intense crying associated with false positive NRFS were only found in parous women (multi-variable adjusted OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.09-1.81) (p for effect modification = 0.03). There was no association observed between positive NRFS and irritability; therefore, NRFS has no effect on an infant's temperament.

Fetal heart rate classification in routine use: Do your prefer a 3-tier or a 5-tier classification?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the current use of a five-tier fetal heart rate (FHR) classification system (National College of French Obstetricians and Gynecologists, CNGOF, 2007) and of a three-tier system (Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics, FIGO, 2015).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a single-center prospective study conducted in April 2016. Midwives were asked to classify FHR hourly during their patients' labors according to two classification systems (CNGOF and FIGO). For each system the midwives rated from 0 to 10 the following elements after delivery: ease of FHR classification, the memorization of the classification, access to routine use, and help with the decision of a second-line examination. Finally, they had to choose which classification system seemed most helpful in their clinical practice.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were included in the study. The median score for the ease of FHR classification according to the CNGOF system was 7, versus 8 according to the FIGO system (p<0.05). The median score for the ease of remembering the classification was 4 for CNGOF versus 8 for FIGO (p<0.05). The FIGO classification system was considered the easiest to use in 76% of cases and the CNGOF system was the most helpful in 61% of cases. The CNGOF system was seen as a help in deciding on a second-line examination in 70% of cases and the FIGO was a help in 63% of cases.

CONCLUSION

The three-tier FIGO classification system seemed easier to use but the five-tier CNGOF classification system was more helpful. The choice of which system to use should be discussed within each medical team.

[Study of fetal heart rate abnormalities observed on cardiotocography in Lubumbashi: about a cases followed at the Lubumbashi University Clinic and the General Hospital of the Cinquantenaire]

Cardiotocography (CTG) has recently come into use in Lubumbashi but no thorough study has yet been conducted to identify its impact on perinatal morbi-mortality. This study aims to determine the frequency of fetal heart rate abnormalities (FHR)in order to identify the associated factors and to propose a suitable management. We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study of 411 women in labour over a period of 19 months (March 2015-December 2016). In patients with pathologic FHR abnormalities, sensitivity and positive predictive value of cardiotocography in the screening test for acute fetal distress were 82.95% and 45.35% respectively. FHR abnormalities were found in two women in labour out of five. Decelerations were the most frequent FHR abnormalities observed (50.8%) with a remarkable predominance of late decelerations (22.1% of all abnormalities). The factors associated with pathological FHR abnormalities were prolonged labor (OR = 14.64, CI = 3.91-54.81), chorioamnionitis (OR = 14.56, CI = 3.83-55.34), chronic maternal anemia (OR = 4.99, CI = 1.48-16.85), primiparity (OR = 2.69, CI = 1.49-4.85), prematurity (OR = 2.90, CI = 1.51-5.54) and prolonged pregnancy (OR = 3.22, CI = 1.38-7.52). Intrauterine growth retardation and arterial hypertension were mainly associated with flat lines and late decelerations (OR = 7.79, CI = 2.50-24.30 and OR=2.74, CI = 1.31-5.72). CTG is a screening tool for the identification of acute fetal distress but with high false-positive rate (55%); it should be associated with other second-line screening tests for acute fetal distress in order to reduce this rate. Factors associated with pathologic FHR abnormalities often cause acute fetal distress thus requiring a rigorous analysis of CTG traces.

Surgical removal of an arteriovenous malformation in the anterior perforated substance in a pregnant woman

Background:

A tailor-made treatment is often required in arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) depending on the individual situation. In most cases, treatment strategy is usually determined according to the patient's Spetzler–Martin grade. However, in the present case, we were not able to treat the patient following the usual guidelines because of neurological symptoms and pregnancy.

Case Description:

We describe a rare case of a 31-year-old woman in the 15^th week of gestation who presented with an AVM in the anterior perforated substance (APS). She suffered a sudden coma and hemiplegia. A computed tomographic scan showed an enhanced mass and a huge hematoma in the basal ganglia and temporal lobe. The hematoma was successfully evacuated in an endoscopic procedure. Angiography showed that a 25-mm nidus in the APS was fed by the anterior choroidal arteries (AChAs) and the lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs). Therefore, we attempted to remove the nidus because the patient became alert with mild aphasia and hemiparesis 10 days after hemorrhage. The feeding arteries were cut under motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring, and the nidus was totally resected leaving two of four AChAs and a single artery with several LSAs. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she gave birth to a healthy baby by caesarian delivery 122 days after the hemorrhage with only minor sequelae.

Conclusions:

Surgical strategy with a device-administered anesthesia are suitable for removing large AVMs even in pregnant women and for the successful outcome of their pregnancies. Even after recovering from a coma and hemiplegia, MEP monitoring is effective for removing large AVMs even when located in the APS.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Predictive Abilities of Fetal Electrocardiogram-Derived Parameters during Labor in Newborn Acidemia: Our Institutional Experience

This study aimed to identify cardiotocography patterns that discriminate fetal acidemia newborns by comprehensively evaluating the parameters obtained from Holter monitoring during delivery. Between June 1, 2015, and August 1, 2016, a prospective observational study of 85 patients was conducted using fetal Holter monitoring at the Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, China. Umbilical cord blood was sampled immediately after delivery and fetal acidemia was defined as umbilical cord arterial blood pH < 7.20. Fetal electrocardiogram- (FECG-) derived parameters, including basal fetal heart rate (BFHR), short-term variation (STV), large acceleration (LA), deceleration capacity (DC), acceleration capacity (AC), proportion of episodes of high variation (PEHV), and proportion of episodes of low variation (PELV), were compared between 16 fetuses with acidemia and 47 without. The areas under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were calculated. Although all the computerized parameters showed predictive values for acidemia (all AUC > 0.50), STV (AUC = 0.84, P < 0.001), DC (AUC = 0.84, P < 0.001), AC (AUC = 0.80, P < 0.001), and PELV (AUC = 0.71, P = 0.012) were more strongly associated with fetal acidemia. Our institutional experience suggests that FECG-derived parameters from Holter monitoring are beneficial in reducing the incidence of neonatal acidemia.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring Documentation: Connecting Points for Quality Care and Communication

Contemporaneous, complete, and objective documentation is the foundation for continuity of patient care and facilitates communication between all levels of healthcare clinicians. The impact of electronic fetal monitoring on obstetric safety has become a high priority, with documentation being essential to evaluating care quality. Over several decades, electronic fetal monitoring documentation has reached a higher level of precision because paper is being replaced with health information technology that incorporates system's features such as checklists, drop-down boxes, and decision analysis. The intent of this article is to provide a synopsis of important concepts regarding electronic fetal monitoring documentation and liability-reduction strategies for perinatal nurses.

The importance of clinically and ethically fine-tuning decision-making about cesarean delivery

In obstetric practice, each pregnant woman presents with a composite of maternal and fetal characteristics that can alter the risk of significant harm without cesarean intervention. The hospital's availability of resources and the obstetrician's training, experience, and skill level can also alter the risk of significant harm without cesarean intervention. This paper proposes a clinical ethical framework that takes these clinical and organizational factors into account, to promote a deliberative rather than simplistic approach to decision-making and counseling about cesarean delivery. The result is a clinical ethical framework that should guide the obstetrician in fine-tuning his or her evidence-based, beneficence-based analysis of specific clinical and organizational factors that can affect the strength of the beneficence-based clinical judgment about cesarean delivery. We illustrate the clinical application of this framework for three common obstetric conditions: Category II fetal heart rate tracing, prior non-classical cesarean delivery, and breech presentation.

Agreement of three interpretation systems of intrapartum foetal heart rate monitoring by different levels of physicians

A prospective study was conducted in centre in Southern Thailand, to evaluate agreement in EFM interpretation among various physicians in order to find out the most practical system for daily use. We found strong agreement of very normal FHR tracings among the FIGO, NICHD 3-tier and 5-tier systems. The NICHD 3-tier was more compatible with the FIGO system than 5-tier system. Overall inter-observer agreement was moderate for the NICHD 3-tier system while inter-observer agreement of 5-tier system was fair also the intra-observer agreement was higher in the NICHD 3-tier system. So the 3-tier systems are more suitable than the 5-tier system in general obstetric practice. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: The 3-tier and 5-tier systems were widely used in general obstetrics practice. What the results of this study add: The inter- and intra-observer agreement of NICHD 3-tier system was higher than the 5-tier system. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: The 3-tier systems were more suitable than the 5-tier systems in general obstetrics practice.

The Regional Centralization of Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring and Its Impact on Neonatal Acidemia and the Cesarean Birth Rate

Objective. The improvement of the accuracy of fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern interpretation to improve perinatal outcomes remains an elusive challenge. We examined the impact of an FHR centralization system on the incidence of neonatal acidemia and cesarean births. Methods. We performed a regional, population-based, before-and-after study of 9,139 deliveries over a 3-year period. The chi-squared test was used for the statistical analysis. Results. The before-and-after study showed no difference in the rates of acidemia, cesarean births, or perinatal death in the whole population. A subgroup analysis using the 4 hospitals in which an FHR centralization system was continuously connected (compliant group) and 3 hospitals in which the FHR centralization system was connected on demand (noncompliant group) showed that the incidence acidemia was significantly decreased (from 0.47% to 0.11%) without a corresponding increase in the cesarean birth rate due to nonreassuring FHR patterns in the compliant group. Although there was no difference in the incidence of nonreassuring FHR patterns in the noncompliant group, the total cesarean birth rate was significantly higher than that in the compliant group. Conclusion. The continuous FHR centralization system, in which specialists help to interpret results and decide clinical actions, was beneficial in reducing the incidence of neonatal acidemia (pH < 7.1) without increasing the cesarean birth rate due to nonreassuring FHR patterns.

The myths and physiology surrounding intrapartum decelerations: the critical role of the peripheral chemoreflex

A distinctive pattern of recurrent rapid falls in fetal heart rate, called decelerations, are commonly associated with uterine contractions during labour. These brief decelerations are mediated by vagal activation. The reflex triggering this vagal response has been variably attributed to a mechanoreceptor response to fetal head compression, to baroreflex activation following increased blood pressure during umbilical cord compression, and/or a Bezold-Jarisch reflex response to reduced venous return from the placenta. Although these complex explanations are still widespread today, there is no consistent evidence that they are common during labour. Instead, the only mechanism that has been systematically investigated, proven to be reliably active during labour and, crucially, capable of producing rapid decelerations is the peripheral chemoreflex. The peripheral chemoreflex is triggered by transient periods of asphyxia that are a normal phenomenon associated with all uterine contractions. This should not cause concern as the healthy fetus has a remarkable ability to adapt to these repeated but short periods of asphyxia. This means that the healthy fetus is typically not at risk of hypotension and injury during uncomplicated labour even during repeated brief decelerations. The physiologically incorrect theories surrounding decelerations that ignore the natural occurrence of repeated asphyxia probably gained widespread support to help explain why many babies are born healthy despite repeated decelerations during labour. We propose that a unified and physiological understanding of intrapartum decelerations that accepts the true nature of labour is critical to improve interpretation of intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns.

How to Approach Intrapartum Category II Tracings

Since its inception, many have questioned the utility of electronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring. However, it arrived without the benefit of clear, standard nomenclature, leading to difficulty interpreting studies regarding its benefit. In 2008, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) developed standard nomenclature for interpreting eFHR tracings. Understanding what drives the tracings is key to managing them. Category II FHR patterns are by far the most common and most diverse patterns, leading to broad variation in care. Presented here is an algorithm for standardization of management of category II FHR tracings, based on the pathophysiology of decelerations, that can be followed in any labor unit.

Risks of parenteral antihypertensive therapy for the treatment of severe maternal hypertension are low

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the incidence of hypotension or adverse fetal heart tracing (FHT) category change differed following antepartum administration of intravenous (IV) labetalol versus hydralazine.

METHODS

Blood pressure and FHT categories were assessed one hour before and after medication administration. Hypotension was defined as ≥30% reduction in baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) or SBP <90 mmHg. Changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) were also compared. The National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) three-tier category system was used to describe the FHT. For all category II tracings, Parer and Ikeda's system was also used.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine women received hydralazine and 31 women received labetalol during the study period. The incidence of hypotension (≥30% reduction in SBP) was similar between the labetalol (10%) and hydralazine (11%) groups (p = 0.98). No women experienced post-treatment SBP <90 mmHg. No association was observed between fetal heart rate category change and drug used. No women required emergent delivery for fetal indications.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of maternal hypotension was low and did not differ following antepartum IV labetalol versus hydralazine use. These data should reassure providers about the use of parenteral labetalol and hydralazine for the treatment of severe hypertension.