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. 2018 Jul 9:10:341-348.
doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S160675. eCollection 2018.

Intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring using a handheld Doppler versus Pinard stethoscope: a randomized controlled study in Dar es Salaam

Benjamin A Kamala  1   2 , Hussen L Kidanto  3   4 , Peter J Wangwe  2   5 , Ingvild Dalen  3 , Estomih R Mduma  3   6 , Jeffrey M Perlman  7 , Hege L Ersdal  1   8
Affiliations

Intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring using a handheld Doppler versus Pinard stethoscope: a randomized controlled study in Dar es Salaam

Benjamin A Kamala et al. Int J Womens Health. .

Abstract

Background: Fetal stethoscopes are mainly used for intermittent monitoring of fetal heart rate (FHR) during labor in low-income countries, where perinatal mortality is still high. Handheld Dopplers are rarely available and are dependent on batteries or electricity. The objective was to compare the Pinard stethoscope versus a new wind-up handheld Doppler in the detection of abnormal FHR.

Materials and methods: We conducted a randomized controlled study at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania, from April 2013 to September 2015. Women with gestational age ≥37 weeks, cephalic presentation, normal FHR on admission, and cervical dilatation <7 cm were included. Primary outcome was abnormal FHR detection (<120 or >160 beats/min). Secondary endpoints were time to delivery, mode of delivery, and perinatal outcomes. χ2, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney test, and logistic regression were conducted. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were calculated with respective 95% confidence interval.

Results: In total, 2,844 eligible women were assigned to FHR monitoring with Pinard (n=1,423) or Doppler (n=1,421). Abnormal FHRs were more often detected in the Doppler (6.0%) versus the Pinard (3.9%) arm (adjusted odds ratio =1.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-2.26, p=0.008). Median (interquartile range) time from abnormal FHR detection to delivery was comparable between Doppler and Pinard, ie, 80 (60,161) and 89 (52,165) minutes, respectively, as was the incidence of cesarean delivery (12.0% versus 12.2%). The incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes (fresh stillbirths, 24-hour neonatal admissions, and deaths) was similar overall; however, among newborns with abnormal FHR delivered vaginally, adverse outcomes were less incident in Doppler (7 of 43 births, 16.3%) than in the Pinard arm (10 of 23 births, 43.5%), p=0.021.

Conclusion: Intermittent FHR monitoring using Doppler was associated with an increased detection of abnormal FHR compared to Pinard in a low-risk population. Time intervals from abnormal FHR detection to delivery were longer than recommended in both arms. Perinatal outcomes were better among vaginally delivered newborns with detected abnormal FHR in the Doppler arm.

Keywords: Doppler; Pinard stethoscope; fetal heart rate; perinatal outcomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure BAK received unconditional funding for studies from Laerdal Foundation. The other authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Trial profile.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow diagrams of FHR detections, mode of delivery, and perinatal outcomes in both arms, Pinard and Doppler. Abbreviation: FHR, fetal heart rate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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