Uncertain value of electronic fetal monitoring in predicting cerebral palsy

Article Abstract:

Abnormal fetal heart patterns during labor may be of limited value in diagnosing low blood oxygen and predicting cerebral palsy after birth. Cerebral palsy is a brain defect characterized by jerky body movements and irregular posture, often accompanied by seizures. Researchers examined birth records containing the electronically monitored fetal heart rates of 78 children who had developed cerebral palsy by the age of three years. A group of 300 healthy children served as matched controls. A slowed heart rate apparently quadrupled the risk of cerebral palsy, while decreased beat-to-beat variability nearly tripled the risk. However, 73% of the children with cerebral palsy had none of these heart rate abnormalities during labor. Abnormalities were more pronounced among the very smallest newborns, regardless of later diagnosis. Additional risk factors, such as meconium, maternal infection, and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, applied to less than two thirds of the cerebral palsied infants. Cesarian section may be unnecessarily performed on the basis of abnormal fetal heart rate measurements.

Health aspects, Abnormalities, Risk factors, Fetal heart rate monitoring, Electronic fetal monitoring, Cesarean section, Fetal heart

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What factors influence whether placentas are submitted for pathologic examination?

Article Abstract:

Placentas from pregnancies with low birth weight fetuses and from cesarean section deliveries may be more likely to be submitted for pathologic analysis than other placentas. Researchers reviewed data on 150 placentas that were submitted to pathology laboratories out of a total of 627 live births. Placentas of infants weighing less than 1,500 grams were submitted more often than those of higher birth weights. More placentas from infants delivered by cesarean section were submitted than were those from vaginal deliveries. Better policies for placenta submission criteria and more research on placental findings may be needed.

Analysis, Medical examination, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight, Placenta, Diagnosis, Laboratory, Laboratory diagnosis

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Can we prevent cerebral palsy?

Article Abstract:

It may not be possible to prevent many cases of cerebral palsy in newborn babies. Some of the causes of cerebral palsy include stroke, uterine infection, multiple pregnancy, and low oxygen levels during birth. However, these causes only account for a minority of cases. And even these causes may not be preventable.

Prevention

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