Open AccessCorrelation of Fetal Heart Rate Patterns with Umbilical Artery pH and Catecholamines During Last Hour of Labor
Author(s) -
Bistoletti P.,
Lagercrantz H.,
Lunell N.O.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348009155398
Subject(s) - umbilical artery , medicine , fetus , fetal distress , bradycardia , fetal heart rate , cardiology , correlation , pathological , heart rate , pregnancy , anesthesia , blood pressure , genetics , geometry , mathematics , biology
Fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns were analysed during last hour of labour and correlated to umbilical artery pH and catecholamine (CA) levels. Fetuses with pathological FHR had significantly higher levels of CA than those with normal FHR. Particulary high levels were found in fetuses with bradycardia and late decelerations. FHR was further analysed by a computer (DPAC, data processor and computer) in 100 women during last hour of labor. No correlation between deceleration areas or variability and umbilical artery pH and CA was found. It is concluded that although there is a good correlation between the general FHR‐pattern and umbilical artery CA and pH it is impossible to quantify the degree of fetal distress by calculation of deceleration areas and variability.