The terminal CTG as the expression of a high degree of risk to the child -two case studies

The cases of two patients, in whom conspicuous CTGs with restricted oscilla tion and late decelerations were registered in the final trimester of pregn ancy, are presented. Following immediate hospitalisation and the rapid exec ution of a caesarean section, two depressed, severely acidotic neonates wer e born. Whilst the course of the pregnancy in the first case had been compl etely inconspicuous up to that point, and the acute occurrence of placental insufficiency must be assumed, the second patient was subject to pregnancy -induced hypertension with discrete foetal growth retardation. It is shown that two almost identical pathological CTG registrations may have different causes but that one must assume a high degree of sub partu risk to the chi ld on the occurrence of a terminal CTG witch is characterised by line-shape d oscillation, possibly in combination with late decelerations.