Ultrasonic fetal breathing movements observation is it diagnose true preterm pains

ABSTRACT

Fifty women with painful uterine contractions, occurring between 32 - 36 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study to evaluate the predictive value of ultrasonic fetal breathing movements observation to diagnose true preterm pains and delivery. Out of 10 women [20%] showed absent fetal breathing movements, 8 women [80%] delivered within 24 - 48 hours. While out of 40 women [80%] showed present fetal breathing movements only one [2.5%] delivered within the same period. The absence of fetal breathing movements on ultrasound, has a predictive value for diagnosis of true preterm pains and delivery with sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 95%, positive predictive value of 80% with very high significant value [P <0.0001]