Does fetal heart rate count? Developing a low cost, alternative powered Doppler fetal heart monitor for use in low resource high mortality settings

• DOI: 10.1049/ic.2006.0673
• Publication Date: 2010-10-28T14:46:27Z
• Authors: H. Bezuidenhout; D. Woods; J. Wyatt; J. Lawn
• Keywords: Auscultation

Background: Intrapartum events kill 1 million babies and over stillbirths globally each year contribute to half of all maternal deaths. Effective intrapartum monitoring could save many these lives also reduce morbidity in survivors. Intermittent fetal heart auscultation is as safe continuous electronic low risk labours. Doppler ultrasound monitor regarded the most promising device resource settings, but its use limited by cost, availability existing devices lack alternative power supply options. Aims: To develop a which accurate reliable has options for (wind-up, electric, solar), robust affordable settings where women children die. compare reliability prototype with cardiotocograph, assess if appropriate it acceptable health workers patients. Methods: Five prototypes have been designed are being assessed accuracy, acceptability, usability small field trials South Africa. Results: 661 rate readings labour were measured on 17 mothers cardiotocograph. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between from compared The correlation coefficient was 94%. remain runs low. Winding 20 seconds results an average 2 min 31 use. In survey 97 72 (74%) preferred cardiotocograph or fetoscope. Conclusion: Initial testing shows this novel be both mother poor settings. next steps will rigorous accuracy clinical impact multi-centre study well addition distance learning material.