Fetal heart tracing and colour doppler: A comparative analysis with respect to maternal and neonatal outcome

Abstract

CTG is a test usually done in the third trimester of pregnancy. The basic objective of a CTG is to assess coordination between foetal nervous system and the cardiovascular system based on the fact that a well oxygenated healthy foetus with an intact CNS-cardiac functioning will show accelerations with foetal movements. In normal pregnancy, resistance to blood flow in the uteroplacental unit decreases as pregnancy advances resulting in an increase in the diastolic flow and the abnormality in this is detected by Colour Doppler.We aim to compare the efficacy of Electronic Foetal Monitoring and COLOUR DOPPLER as a means of foetal monitoring in utero in order to prognosticate the perinatal and neonatal outcome in high risk pregnancy.Conclusion: Both the test are complementary to one another in the fetal surveillance of high risk pregnancies and no single test should be considered for decision making because each test reflects different aspects of maternal and fetal pathophysiology. The choice of test can be dictatded by the clinician.