Is end‐stage deceleration of the fetal heart ominous?

Abstract
End-stage deceleration (ESD), defined as deep and sustained fetal bradycardia, during the 2nd stage of labor was observed in 55 patients. Fetal well-being and neonatal outcome were assessed with fetal scalp pH, umbilical vein pH and 1-min Apgar score values. Only 6 infants with pathological fetal heart rate patterns before ESD had a 1-min Apgar score of < 7 and an acidotic umbilical vein pH. The remaining 49 babies were born in excellent condition although, when ESD persisted for > 15 min, umbilical vein pH decreased.

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