A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THE FETAL ELECTROCARDIOGRAM RECORDED BY THE STAN AND NOTTINGHAM SYSTEMS

Objective To compare the T:QRS ratio record by the STAN and Nottingham fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) monitors. Design Prospective observati onal study. Setting London teaching hospital delivery suite and resear ch unit. Methods and subjects The T:QRS ratios generated by the STAN a nd Nottingham FECG monitors were simultaneously recorded and compared using signals generated from a computer-produced ECG signal and signal s from 11 term fetuses recorded during labour. Results There was an ac ceptable level of agreement between the two systems with the computer- generated signals, but it was not clinically acceptable with the signa ls from the fetuses recorded during labour. Disagreements in the T:QRS values were probably due to differences in the reference points for t he measurement of the S-T segment and T-wave height. Conclusion The di fferent points of reference for measurement of S-T segment and T-wave height can explain poor agreement between the two methods of FECG wave form analysis. The suggested adopted points of reference are those cor responding to adult electrocardiographic methodology.