Correlation of the oxytocin challenge test with perinatal outcome.

A total of 234 oxytocin challenge tests (OCT) were performed on 100 high-risk patients. The results were negative (N) in 68 of these 100 patients, suspicious (S) in 22, and positive (P) in 10. The incidence of late decelerations during labor was N, 5%; S, 40%; P, 86%; and meconium staining of the amniotic fluid was N, 4%; S, 5%; and P, 30%. The cesarean section rate was N, 16%; S, 36%; and P, 60%; and of these the cesarean section rate for fetal indications was N, 9%; S, 25%; and P, 67%. The overall perinatal mortality in the study group was 2% (N, 1.5%; S, 0%; P, 10%). The results confirm the negative OCT as innocuous and positive OCT as the most ominous. They also indicate that the majority of patients with positive OCT can be delivered vaginally without endangering the fetus if fetal scalp blood pH determinations can be performed.