Download PDF
Am J Perinatol 2018; 35(14): 1405-1410
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1660459
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

A Standardized Approach for Category II Fetal Heart Rate with Significant Decelerations: Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Laurence E. Shields
1   Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Marian Regional Medical Center, Santa Maria, California
2   Department of Patient Safety, Dignity Health, San Francisco, California
,
Suzanne Wiesner
2   Department of Patient Safety, Dignity Health, San Francisco, California
,
Catherine Klein
2   Department of Patient Safety, Dignity Health, San Francisco, California
,
Barbara Pelletreau
2   Department of Patient Safety, Dignity Health, San Francisco, California
,
Herman L. Hedriana
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

09 February 2018

23 April 2018

Publication Date:
12 June 2018 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objective To determine if a standardized intervention process for Category II fetal heart rates (FHRs) with significant decels (SigDecels) would improve neonatal outcome and to determine the impact on mode of delivery rates.

Study Design Patients with Category II FHRs from six hospitals were prospectively managed using a standardized approach based on the presence of recurrent SigDecels. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between pre- (6 months) and post-(11 months) implementation. Neonatal outcomes were: 5-minute APGAR scores of <7, <5, <3, and severe unexpected newborn complications (UNC). Maternal outcomes included primary cesarean and operative vaginal birth rates of eligible deliveries.

Results Post implementation there were 8,515 eligible deliveries, 3,799 (44.6%) were screened, and 361 (9.5%) met criteria for recurrent SigDecels. Compliance with the algorithm was 97.8%. The algorithm recommended delivery in 68.0% of cases. Relative to pre-implementation, 5-minute APGAR score of <7 were reduced by 24.6% (p < 0.05) and severe UNC by −26.6%, p = < .05. The rate of primary cesarean decreased (19.8 vs 18.3%, p < 0.05), while there were nonsignificant increases in vaginal (74.6 vs 75.8%, p = 0.13) and operative vaginal births (5.7 vs 5.9%, p = 0.6).

Conclusion Standardized management of recurrent SigDecels reduced the rate of 5-minute APGAR scores of < 7 and severe UNC.

Keywords

fetal heart rate - Category II - neonatal outcome - cesarean birth

Note

This paper was presented at the 2017 Pacific Coast Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, November 1–5, 2017, Palm Desert, CA.


 

  • References

  • 1 Paul RH, Hon EH. A clinical fetal monitor. Obstet Gynecol 1970; 35 (02) 161-169
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Thacker SB, Stroup D, Chang M. Continuous electronic heart rate monitoring for fetal assessment during labor. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2001; (02) CD000063
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Macones GA, Hankins GD, Spong CY, Hauth J, Moore T. The 2008 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development workshop report on electronic fetal monitoring: update on definitions, interpretation, and research guidelines. Obstet Gynecol 2008; 112 (03) 661-666
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Spong CY, Berghella V, Wenstrom KD, Mercer BM, Saade GR. Preventing the first cesarean delivery: summary of a joint Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Workshop. Obstet Gynecol 2012; 120 (05) 1181-1193
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Caughey AB, Cahill AG, Guise JM, Rouse DJ. ; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (College); Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Safe prevention of the primary cesarean delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2014; 210 (03) 179-193
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Cahill AG, Roehl KA, Odibo AO, Macones GA. Association and prediction of neonatal acidemia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2012; 207 (03) 206.e1-206.e8
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Graham EM, Petersen SM, Christo DK, Fox HE. Intrapartum electronic fetal heart rate monitoring and the prevention of perinatal brain injury. Obstet Gynecol 2006; 108 (3 Pt 1): 656-666
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Clark SL, Nageotte MP, Garite TJ. , et al. Intrapartum management of category II fetal heart rate tracings: towards standardization of care. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013; 209 (02) 89-97
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Graham EM, Adami RR, McKenney SL, Jennings JM, Burd I, Witter FR. Diagnostic accuracy of fetal heart rate monitoring in the identification of neonatal encephalopathy. Obstet Gynecol 2014; 124 (03) 507-513
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Clark SL, Hamilton EF, Garite TJ, Timmins A, Warrick PA, Smith S. The limits of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring in the prevention of neonatal metabolic acidemia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017; 216 (02) 163.e1-163.e6
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative. (CMQCC). NQF #716: Unexpected Newborn Complications Update, 2013 (vol 2017) Available at: https://www.cmqcc.org/focus-areas/quality-metrics/unexpected-complications-term-newborns . Accessed September 15, 2017
    PubMed
  • 12 Parer JT, Ikeda T, King TL. The 2008 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development report on fetal heart rate monitoring. Obstet Gynecol 2009; 114 (01) 136-138
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Parer JT, Ikeda T. A framework for standardized management of intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007; 197 (01) 26.e1-26.e6
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Armstrong JC, Kozhimannil KB, McDermott P, Saade GR, Srinivas SK. ; Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Health Policy Committee. Comparing variation in hospital rates of cesarean delivery among low-risk women using 3 different measures. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2016; 214 (02) 153-163
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Nelson KB, Dambrosia JM, Ting TY, Grether JK. Uncertain value of electronic fetal monitoring in predicting cerebral palsy. N Engl J Med 1996; 334 (10) 613-618
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar