EVALUATION OF CONTRACTION STRESS TEST BEFORE 33 WEEKS GESTATION

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (6) , 649-652
Abstract
The value of the contraction stress test (CST), although well documented in late pregnancy, has been questioned earlier in gestation. The reliability of the CST in 102 [high-risk] patients tested before 33 wk gestation was evaluated. Eighteen patients with a positive CST had a significantly higher incidence of abnormal urinary estriol excretion (60% of patients), low Apgar scores (44%), growth retardation (39%) and perinatal mortality (277/1000) than did 84 women without a positive CST. Two stillbirths and 3 neonatal deaths occurred in the positive CST group. None of the neonatal losses was due to unnecessary premature intervention. Four patients with a positive CST showed no signs of fetal compromise, a false positive rate of 22%. Delivery was safely delayed an average of 6.1 wk in patients without a positive CST. These findings demonstrate the predictive value of the CST and support its clinical application early in the 3rd trimester.

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