Is end-stage deceleration of the fetal heart ominous? |
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| Authors: | MIRIAM KATZ Senior Obstetrician Gynaecologist NAFTALI SHANI Resident in Obstetrics Gynaecology ISRAEL MEIZNER Resident in Obstetrics Gynaecology VACLAV INSLER Professor Chairman |
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| Affiliation: | Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology'A', the Soroka Medical Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba, Israel |
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| Abstract: | Summary. End-stage deceleration (ESD) defined as deep and sustained fetal bradycardia during the second stage of labour was observed in 55 patients. Fetal well-being and neonatal outcome were assessed with fetal-scalp pH, umbilical-vein pH and l-min Apgar score values. Only six infants with pathological fetal heart-rate patterns before ESD had a l-min Apgar score of <7 and an acidotic umbilical-vein pH. The remaining 49 babies were born in excellent condition, although when ESD persisted for more than 15 min umbilical-vein pH decreased. |
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