The Relevance of Antenatal Cardiotocography

Abstract

In a prospective study of 3,083 patients having antenatal cardiotocography it was shown that ominous fetal heart rate traces were most likely to occur when the test was applied in specific 'at risk' situations rather than as a routine screening test, and when the need for monitoring was perceived relatively early in the pregnancy. The majority of ominous traces were not preceded by a normal trace.