Non- stress test: A tests to assess the outcome of high-risk pregnancy

Abstract

Background: The non-stress test is one of the most widely used techniques for antepartum fetal evaluation. The main principle behind this test is the presence of fetal heart rate acceleration with fetal movement .it recognizes the association of fetal neurological status to cardiovascular reflex responses as it is one of the factors that disappears earliest during the progressive fetal compromise. Methods: For ante-partum evaluation of high-risk pregnancies, the non -stress test (NST) was performed to predict favourable or adverse fetal outcome. This study was carried out on 100 women with high-risk pregnancies between period of august 2013 and May2016, in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, B.R.S.H Kolkata by CTG as per NICE guideline. Results: Out of 100 patients as per NST result 22% were found non-reactive and 78% were found reactive. The risk of intrapartum fetal distress (IPFD) was 8.31times more for patients with non-reactive NST result as compared to the patients with reactive NST result and the risk was significant. Proportion of NICU admission was higher in non-reactive group (9.1%) as compared to reactive group (3.8%). proportion of perinatal deaths was higher in NR group (4.5%) as compared to R group (1.3%). Conclusion: However, it is just not enough to have a live baby but rather a live healthy baby without any birth related disability or complication research work aimed at developing such tests which would detect and prevent neurodevelopment defects are desirable. Till date NST is directed only at prevention of stillbirths.