Heat flux from the fetal scalp during labor and fetal outcome.

In 40 deliveries a new variable, heat flux from the fetal scalp, was recorded and correlated with fetal outcome. The heat flux from the fetus, which reflects the temperature gradient between the warmer fetus and the mother was measured by a transducer attached to the fetal scalp after rupture of the membranes. In the last 20 min before delivery we found a statistically significant correlation (p less than 0.05) between heat flux from the fetus and pH of umbilical artery blood. Heat flux in the group with higher pH differed significantly from those with lower pH. We conclude that heat flux measurements could be developed and used for fetal monitoring.