Abstract

Given the demanding nature of labour, alterations in the cardiotocography (CTG) trace may be an indication of how the foetus is responding to continuous hypoxic or mechanical stressors, such as compression of the umbilical cord or a decrease in placental blood flow. Any foetus deemed to be at a "high risk" of experiencing intrapartum hypoxic damage requires constant foetal monitoring. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate CTG in high-risk pregnancy and its correlation with maternal and fetal outcomes. Methodology: Two hundred antenatal patients with ≥ 37 weeks period of gestation with high-risk pregnancies were included in the study. As per the RCOG guidelines, the CTG analysis of recruited patients was performed. Maternal and fetal outcomes were then correlated with the CTG. Results: The mean age of the patients was 27.84 ± 4.58 years. Patients with non-reactive CTG found to have significantly high risk of premature rupture of membranes. Prolonged labour was also encountered significantly high in patients with non-reactive CTG. No significant difference in the mode of delivery was observed between patients with reactive or non-reactive CTG. APGAR score was significantly low in patients with non-reactive CTG. NICU admissions was also significantly high in patients non-reactive CTG. Conclusion: A non-reactive CTG indicate a lack of fetal well-being, which may be due to various causes such as fetal distress, umbilical cord compression, or low fetal oxygenation. In present study, we found that patients with non-reactive CTG tends to have poor maternal and foetal outcomes compared to the patients with reactive CTG which indicate potential role of CTG in predicting outcomes in high-risk pregnancy.

Description