Background: With the advent of electronic foetal monitoring, a relationship between foetal movement and foetal heart rate was observed and that relationship formed the basis for non-stress test (NST). Doppler USG plays an important role in foetal growth restriction (FGR) pregnancies where hemodynamic rearrangements occur in response to foetal hypoxemia. It is now proved that significant Doppler changes occur with reduction in foetal growth at a time when other foetal well-being tests are still normal. This study was done to find out the comparative usefulness of Doppler and NST in the management of FGR and severe preeclampsia and subsequent correlation with perinatal outcome. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on pregnant women with severe preeclamsia and/or FGR beyond 30 weeks of gestation at AHRR Delhi. 50 pregnancies complicated with severe preeclampsia and/or FGR beyond 30 weeks of gestation were selected. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were subjected to NST. Umbilical arterial Doppler flow was obtained at weekly or twice weekly interval depending on the severity by pulsed wave color doppler indices were measured during foetal apnea by the same examiner at the free loop site where the clearest waveform signal could be visualized. Of 3 measurements, the mean average of S/D ratio was recorded and followed up with serial Doppler assessment and non-stress test. Data was collected and statistical analysis was carried out. Results: The Doppler showed changes earlier than NST giving a significant lead time of up to 20 days with an average of 4.94 days. The UA S/D had the highest sensitivity (88%) and diagnostic accuracy (94%) in predicting the adverse perinatal outcome. The sensitivity and specificity of Doppler as compared to NST was 82.6% and 63.0% respectively with a diagnostic accuracy of 72%. The Doppler has negative predictive value of 80.95% and positive predictive value of 65.5%. Color Doppler has diagnostic accuracy of 72%. The mortality rate in reversal of diastolic flow was 77.77% and in absent UA flow was 16.66%. 12% foetuses were found to have AEDV in UA and among them 66.66% had both FGR+PE as maternal complication. There was 83.33% rate of LSCS, 16.66% neonatal mortality rate, 83.33% NICU stay rate and 66.66% complication rate in neonates. Whereas 18% had REDV and among that 88.88% had both FGR+PE as maternal complication, a similar rate of LSCS, 77.77% rate of neonatal mortality, 100 % NICU stay and 66.66% complication rate in the neonates. Conclusions: Combined foetal testing modalities such as Doppler, NST and biophysical profile provide a wealth of information regarding foetal health. Integrated foetal testing would be ideal for individualized care of the preterm compromised foetuses for timed intervention.

Background: The importance of fetal monitoring during labour has been realized since long. The stress of uterine contractions may affect the fetus adversely especially if the fetus is already compromised, when the placental reserves are suboptimal, or when cord undergoes compression as in those associated with diminished liquor amnii or iatrogenic uterine hyperstimulation due to injudicious use of oxytocin. Even a fetus which is apparently normal in the antenatal period may develop distress during labour. Hence fetal monitoring during antepartum and intrapartum periods is of vital importance for timely detection of fetal distress so that appropriate management may be offered. Methods: This study was a prospective observational study included 100 patients of more than 34 weeks period of gestation were divided into two groups. Patients in labour were analyzed on an Electronic Monitor. Delivery conducted was either by vaginal route, instrumental or by caesarean section depending upon the fetal heart rate tracings and their interpretations as per the case. At the time of delivery umbilical cord blood was taken for the pH analysis. All new born babies were seen by the paediatrician immediately after the delivery and 1 and 5 minute APGAR score assessed for the delivered baby. The various EFM Patterns obtained were compared with the neonatal status at birth using the parameters already mentioned. The false positives and false negatives if any were tabulated. Data so obtained was analyzed statistically thereafter. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 13.0 was used for the purpose of analysis. Results: Results revealed that among the 50 subjects of the case group, 7 subjects showed the absence of the beat to beat variability, 12 subjects showed early deceleration, 32 subjects showed late deceleration, and 6 subjects showed the presence of variable deceleration. No significant association of beat to beat variability, early and variable deceleration could be established with meconium staining/NICU admissions/low APGAR. A significant positive association between persistent late deceleration with MSL, APGAR <7 at 1 min, and Instrumental/LSCS delivery was seen. A significant positive association between any CTG abnormality and APGAR at 1 min, type of delivery, and meconium staining was seen. Conclusions: EFM should be used judiciously. Cardiotocography machines are certainly required in the labour room. Equally important is the proper interpretation of the CTG tracings so that unjustified caesarean sections can be minimized, at the same time picking up cases of fetal distress in time which is likely to improve fetal outcome.