FETAL DEMISE FOLLOWING NEGATIVE CONTRACTION STRESS TESTS

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (6) , 671-673
Abstract
The contraction stress test (CST) has become widely used to assess antepartum fetal well-being over the past 5 yr. A summary of 14 reports revealed 7 fetal deaths in 1739 patients within 1 wk of a negative CST, an incidence of 0.4%. Patients (746) underwent 119 CST. Seven fetal deaths occurred in 680 patients within 1 wk of a negative CST, an incidence of 1.0%. Although maternal conditions associated with fetal demise within 1 wk of a negative CST included diabetes mellitus, prolonged pregnancy, chronic hypertension and preeclampsia, fetal death in most instances resulted from factors other than uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI). Conditions commonly associated with fetal demise following a negative CST were umbilical cord accidents, severe congenital anomalies and abruptio placentae. The low incidence of fetal death after a negative CST supports continued use of the CST in evaluation of high-risk pregnancies.

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