EFFECTS OF INTRAMUSCULAR PETHIDINE ON FETAL HEART RATE VARIABILITY DURING LABOUR

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Abstract
The effects of i.m. administered pethidine, an analgesic, on indices of fetal heart rate (FHR) variability were studied during labor in 20 women. The differential index, describing the short-term variability and the interval index, describing the long-term variability, were measured from direct fetal ECG by a microprocessor-based on-line system. The indices were measured from 10 min samples, once before the pethidine injection and 9 times after the injection. The interval index decreased significantly (P < 0.01) with the maximum effect 40 min after the injection. The differential index showed a decreasing trend, with a maximum at 40 min, but the change was not significant. Both indices returned to the pre-injection level after 60 min. The effect of pethidine on FHR variability during labor might cause difficulties in assessing the fetal state.

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