The Contribution of Continual Foetal OxygenSaturation (FSpO2) by Means of Intrapartum FoetalPulse Oximetry (IFPO) to the Diagnosis of Acute FoetalHypoxia

Overview

Objective:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of lowering the Caesarean Sectionrate in patients presenting the signs of intrauterine hypoxia on CTG tracing by evaluating thefoetal oxygen saturation (FSpO2) by means of intrapartum foetal pulse oximetry (IFPO).Design: Open prospective study.Setting: 1 st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty of Masaryk University,Brno.Methods: From January 1, 1999 to December, 1999 68 patients were enroled in the study. For theapplication of the IFPO sensor the patient had to meet the following criterias: patient’s informedconsensus, pregnancy > or = 36 weeks, regular uterine contractions, rupture of membranes, cervi-cal dilatation of > or = 2 cm, singleton pregnancy, cephalic occiput presentation, no sings ofvaginal infection, acute foetal hypoxia on CTG tracing: (baseline heart rate 150 beats/min) with reduced variability and/or severe variable (DIP 0) and late decele-rations (DIP II).The IFPO used -⁠ Nellcor N-400. In all patients that fulfilled the above mentioned criteria duringthe first stage of labor the sensor was applied preferably on the posterior cheek of the foetus andthe FSpO2 values were continuously monitored up to the complete dilatation. The treshold of theintrapartum foetal hypoxia (FSpO2 values) was considered 50 % of these may be saved with identic perinatal outcome (Apgarscores, cord pH).

Key words:
foetal oxygen saturation (FSpO2), intrapartum foetal pulse oximetry (IFPO), acute