[A method for automatically analysis of antenatal cardio-tocograms (author's transl)]

Abstract

An off-line computer analysis of antenatal cardiotocograms has been developed. The fetal heart period (interbeat interval), the signals from uterine contractions and fetal movements, the maternal heart period and the continuous time are recorded on magnetic tape. A marking of single steps and of special events during this investigation is possible. For data processing the sequence of measuring values must be divided in shorter intervals (as a rule with a length of 30 seconds).--After this the mean value of FHR and of MHR is calculated for each interval. By computation of the standard deviation (S), the index of instantaneous arrhythmia (IAI), and the number of macrofluctuations of these intervals a quantification of the heart rate short-time-variability and long-time-variability can be performed.