Validity of fetal pulse oximetry in predicting fetal outcome in patients with non-assuring external fetal heart rate monitoring

To assess the sensitivity and predicitive values of fetal pulse oximetry in predicting fetal outcome in patients with non-assuring CTG. Women with singleton fetus and non-assuring fetal heart rate pattern during active phase of the first stage of labor were randomised into two groups; case and control. All fetuses had umbilical artery sampling when the baby was born. Fetuses in study group were additionally evaluated using fetal pulse oximetry. The study showed statistically significant correlation between the fetal pulse oximetry measurements and the umbilical artery pH, PO2, PCO2 and Apgar scores. The sensitivity of fetal pulse oximetry in this study was 77.3%. Its specificity was 95%. Positive predictive value was 89.5% and the negative predictive value was 88.4%. Fetal pulse oximetry is a successful intrapartum monitoring tool to be applied in fetuses with non-assuring fetal heart rate patterns. FPO may help obstetricians in the process of decision making and the use of FPO may help avoid unnecessary cesarean sections performed due to abnormal FHR tracing

Chlamydial antibodies among copper T intrauterine contraceptive device users

Approximately 60 million women use the intrauterine contraceptive devices [IUCD] worldwide. IUCD constitutes one of the most accepted and widely used methods of contraception especially in the developing countries. Several studies have demonstrated an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease [PID] in women using intrauterine contraceptive devices. The role of chlamydia trachomatis in causing PID among IUCD users is not clear. This prospective study aims to clarify the effect of copper T IUCD on the incidence of chlamydia trachomatis infection in the female genital tract. This was done by measuring anti-chlamydia antibodies in the serum of copper T IUCD users compared to non-users among 100 patients attending Family Planning Clinic in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. The results showed that Chlamydia antibodies were significantly higher [P < 0.01] among IUCD users compared to non-users. In addition, on linking diagnostic criteria of chlamydia trachomatis infection to the mean serology of chlamydial antibodies, there was no significant correlation to serology [P > 0.05]. This indicates the silent nature of this infection and the importance of screening of chlamydia trachomatis among women at riskor acquiring this infection