Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S J Gumley.
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.
The sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern is significantly associated with severe fetal anaemia when seen in the antenatal period. Strict adherence to definition is important, as pseudosinusoidal patterns do not have the same grave prognostic significance. If this fetal heart rate pattern is seen antenatally it is our contention that the baby should be delivered urgently by Caesarean section, unless the fetal anaemia can be treated in utero.