The clinical interpretation of fetal heart rate traces is a difficult task that has led to the development computerised assessment systems. These systems are limited by their inability to represent uncertainty. This paper describes the first stage in the development of a fu2zy expert system for fetal heart rate assessment. A preliminary evaluation study comparing the initial fuzzy system with t...

OBJECTIVES Previously in Finland, each municipality selected which methods to use in screening for fetal abnormalities. This resulted in practice variation and inequity. The national health technology assessment (HTA) office Finohta compared the methods and time frames available when screening for chromosomal and structural abnormalities. The assessment identified a need to discuss several valu...

Pulse oximetry (oxygen saturation monitoring) has markedly improved medical care in many fields, including anesthesiology, intensive care, and newborn intensive care. In obstetrics, fetal heart rate monitoring remains the standard for intrapartum assessment of fetal well being. Fetal oxygen saturation monitoring is a new technique currently under development. It is potentially superior to elect...

BACKGROUND Fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) may contribute to the evaluation of fetal well-being during labour. OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness and safety of FPO with conventional surveillance techniques, using the results of randomised controlled trials. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register (31 July 2004) and conducted a systematic liter...

Fetal magnetoencephalography (fMEG) is a non-invasive technique where measurements of the magnetic field outside the maternal abdomen are used to infer the source location and signals of the fetus' neural activity. There are a number of aspects related to fMEG modelling that must be addressed, such as the conductor volume, fetal position and orientation, gestation period, etc. We propose a solu...

Recording and analysis of fetal heart rate variability is still the most common method for detection of early symptoms of fetal hypoxia. However, fetal heart rate obtained via ultrasound describes only mechanical activity of fetus heart. Limitations of this technique have stimulated the development of fetal electrocardiography. It ensures more precise determination of fetal heart rate and, whic...

Even though the use of anti-D immunoglobulin has dramatically decreased the incidence of hemolytic disease of fetus and newborn, it still remains a significant cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The main challenge facing fetal medicine specialists today is not the skill required for invasive therapy, but rather the noninvasive monitoring of the disease so that its progress can...

BACKGROUND Ultrasound observation of fetal movement has documented general trends in motor development and fetal age when motor response to stimulation is observed. Evaluation of fetal movement quality, in addition to specific motor activity, may improve documentation of motor development and highlight specific motor responses to stimulation. AIM The aim of this investigation was to assess fe...

INTRODUCTION Late obstetric emergencies are time critical presentations in the emergency department. Evaluation to ensure the safety of mother and child includes rapid assessment of fetal viability, fetal heart rate (FHR), fetal lie, and estimated gestational age (EGA). Point-of-care (POC) obstetric ultrasound (OBUS) offers the advantage of being able to provide all these measurements. We studi...

estimating fetal weight in utero, for better management of pregnancy and appropriate timing of delivery especially in high-risk pregnancies is necessary. our purpose to evaluate a simple method in estimating fetal weight in iranian pregnant patients and also to compare was with a previous western study. this study was carried out in arash hospital, tehran university of medical sciences in 1996-...