Long-term infant subcutaneous retention of a fragment of fetal scalp electrode following caesarean section

Abstract

BACKGROUNDElectronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring, also known as fetal cardiotocography (CTG), monitors the FHR simultaneously with uterine contractions. This is an indirect assessment of the oxygenation and the wellbeing of the fetus during labour. Most commonly, the FHR is monitored externally using an ultrasonic Doppler device and the contractions are monitored concurrently via an external strain-gauge device.During labour, when a more precise record of fetal wellbeing and its capacity to withstand the rigours of labour is required, internal monitoring may provide more accurate monitoring information by applying an electrode to the fetal scalp. The electrode picks up the fetal ECG and the CTG monitor converts it 'beat-to-beat' into the FHR record.

Retrieval of Intra-abdominal Fetal Scalp Electrode 4 Years After Cesarean Birth

“…No diagnosis was made until 7 months later, when a metal spiral consistent with a scalp electrode was expelled from the child's head and the swelling was reduced. 8…”

Abgebrochene fetale Kopfschwartenelektrode als Fremdkörper

“…So wurde etwa im Jahr 2011 ein Fall beschrieben, in dem das Kind nach Geburt eine persistierende Schwellung am Kopf zeigte, bis im Alter von 7 Monaten eine abgebrochene Spiralelektrode entfernt wurde. Dabei hatten die Eltern wiederholt auf die Schwellung hingewiesen, welche jedoch als Narbengewebe gedeutet wurde [7].…”