Abstract
Introduction:
Fetal activity serves as an indirect measure of the fetus central nervous
system integrity and function. Regular fetal movement can be regarded
as an expression of fetal wellbeing. Maternal perception of decreased
fetal movement is associated with poor feto-maternal outcome.
This study is to find out feto-maternal outcome in cases of decreased
fetal movement, done by assessing fetal heart rate (FHR) correlating
with cardiotocography (CTG) and USG (ultrasonography) findings,
Apgar score and meconium in amniotic fluid.
Materials and method
This was a hospital based, prospective comparative study done in Patan
Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal. The sample size was 200;
100 cases of decreased fetal movement versus 100 cases of good fetal
movement at same gestational age in weeks. Data processing was done
in SPSS version 20.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) and calculated by chi-
square test. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
Significant difference was found in fetal kick chart counting. In the
decreased fetal movement group, 16% had oligohydraminos, 3% had
polyhydraminos and 5% had non reassuring CTG and 4% had abnormal
heart rate detected clinically. There was statistically significant difference
observed btween the two groups in labor induction, cesarean section,
meconium stain liquor, cord around the neck and different neonatal
morbidities.
Conclusion:
Decreased fetal movement is associated with poor fetomaternal
outcome. Improved vigilance, early identification, further evaluation
with CTG, USG and proper management of these pregnancies have
favourable pregnancy outcome.
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