Fetal heart rate decelerations in the absence of uterine contractions often occur in the normal preterm fetus between 20 and 30 weeks gestation. As described by Sorokin et al. these decelerations have a lower depth and duration, but can be seen frequently on intrapartum CTG tracings. Continuous monitoring tracings of fetal heart rate in 61 infants with birth weights of 1,500 grams or less were analyzed and related to newborn outcome. Reassuring heart rate patterns or good baseline variability correlated well with a normal unbilical artery pH. Fetal heart rate patterns and baseline variability were not related in a predictive way to central nervous system hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, or neonatal death. Early intervention and operative delivery in cases demonstrating abnormal fetal heart rate patterns may have influenced the outcome in these infants. Fetal heart rate patterns can play an important role in the intrapartum assessment of the condition of the very-low-birth-weight infant and may be used to select those infants requiring prompt operative intervention and vigorous neonatal resuscitation.
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Women's Health and Complications 