The Technique of Fetal Electroencephalography During Labour

We investigated the effect of head compression and acidaemia during labour in 25 African primigravidae. Evidence that head compression had occurred during labour was confirmed by both clinical and radiological means at the end of a trial of labour. No significant difference could be demonstrated in the quantity of fetal electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormality that occurred in the groups with marked head compression as compared to the groups without marked head compression. Deterioration in the fetal EEG to a flat record known as electrocerebral silence (ECS) was associated with the development of acidaemia. As fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations appeared the percentage of ECS in the fetal EEG record increased significantly (P < 0.05), and likewise, as fetal acidaemia developed a highly significant increase in ECS in the fetal EEG was demonstrated (P < O*OOl). We concluded that in the management of trial of labour there was no significant deleterious change in the fetal EEG as a result of head compression, unless fetal acidaemia supervened. However, in the majority of these cases a significant increase in ECS to more than 20 per cent occurred in association with only moderate acidaemia (pH 7.25 to 7.30).CEPHALOPELVIC disproportion remains a major obstetrical hazard in developing countries and contributes significantly to perinatal death rates. In many cases disproportion and fetal asphyxia co-exist and make the exact cause of death difficult to determine. Perinatal statistics from Harare Hospital, Salisbury reveal that between 15 to 20 per cent of perinatal deaths are due to 269

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Fetal Electroencephalography Using a New, Flexible Electrode

Weller¹,

Dyson²,

McFadyen³

et al. 1981

BJOG

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Summary A single flexible active electrode for monitoring the fetal electroencephalogram (FEEG), has been designed specifically for use in routine obstetrics. It does not require penetration of or adherence to the fetal scalp, and it is reusable. The equipment's performance has been tested in 20 normal labours. The recordings obtained were not contaminated by the fetal electrocardiogram and were relatively free from artefact so that minimal filtering of the signal was required. No FEEG signal was obtained if the electrode was applied to breech presentations. The trace obtained from a healthy fetus was comparable with that recorded after delivery.

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The Technique of Fetal Electroencephalography During Labour

Cited by 4 publications

References 4 publications

Fetal Sleep and Spontaneous Behavior In Utero: Animal and Clinical Studies

Fetal Sleep and Spontaneous Behavior In Utero: Animal and Clinical Studies

The Effect of Fetal Head Compression and Fetal Acidaemia During Labour on Human Fetal Cerebral Function as Measured by the Fetal Electroencephalogram

Fetal Electroencephalography Using a New, Flexible Electrode

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