Electronic fetal monitoring at onset of labor to predict obstetric and neonatal outcome

Abstract

Objective: to determine that electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) can be used as a screening test to predict obstetric and neonatal outcome. Methods: It’s a prospective study conducted on 400 pregnant women at onset of labor by electronic fetal monitoring to assess obstetric and neonatal outcome. Results: Incidence of normal traces was 69%, suspicious 24% and pathological traces was 7%. Out of 400 cases 318(80%) had vaginal delivery, 56(14%) had LSCS and 26(6%) had instrumental delivery. There was increased incidence of operative delivery and NICU admissions in suspicious and pathological tracings. This study has 76% sensitivity, 77% specificity, 96% positive predictive value and 33% negative predictive value for a normal test. Conclusion: Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) at the onset of labor is an effective predictive technique to predict fetal outcome and plan an early intervention to prevent adverse perinatal outcome.