RELATIONSHIP OF NONSTRESS TEST REACTIVITY AND GESTATIONAL-AGE

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (3) , 338-344
Abstract
The relationship between gestational age and reactivity during the nonstress test was evaluated in 297 high-risk patients. When the incidence of nonreactive tests at gestational ages of 28-44 wk was evaluated week-by-week, either on the basis of tests performed or patients tested, there was no statistically significant relationship between reactivity and gestational age (P = 0.184 tests; P = 0.222 patients). Four grouped gestational-age intervals were evaluated. Interval A consisted of the period from 28-32 wk gestation, interval B consisted of the period from 33-36 wk gestation, interval C consisted of the period from 37-41 wk gestation and interval D consisted of the period from 42-44 wk gestation. The incidences of nonreactive tests were 15.3, 3.9, 2.5 and 5.9% in intervals A, B, C and D, respectively. The differences in the incidences of nonreactive tests between those performed in intervals A and B and intervals A and C were highly statistically significant (P < 0.001). Differences in the incidences between other intervals did not reach statistical significance. The incidences of patients who experienced a nonreactive test were 10.2, 2.4, 2.8 and 4.7% in intervals A, B, C and D, respectively. The differences in the incidences of patients who experienced a nonreactive test in intervals A and B and intervals A and C were highly statistically significant (P < 0.001). Differences in the incidences between other intervals did not reach statistical significance. Evidently, in certain high-risk patients it is reasonable to extend the testing period to include less advanced gestational ages than have traditionally been included in antepartum fetal heart rate testing programs.

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