Antepartum non-stress test in “high risk” pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

In 1980, the fetal heart rate nonstress test (NST) was used as the primary screening procedure for the evaluation of fetal well being at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Siriraj Hospital Medical School. The results of the first 2,234 patients’ test in 5 years time are presented. Reactive NST (96.69%) has a good predictive value for the well being of the fetus. The stillborn rate withib 7 days of a reactive NST was 3.7 per 1,000, with the still-births occurring in postdate pregnancies. Nonreactive NST (3.31%) group demonstrated a significant increase in the overall cesarean section rate, the rate of cesarean sections for fetal distress and the perinatal mortality rate. Basd on our experience similar to others’ reports, the NST continues to be a valuable procedure for the asseaament of fetal well being in high risk pregnancies.