A randomized controlled trial of non-stress antepartum cardiotocography.

In a prospective randomized controlled study of non-stress antepartum cardiotocography (CTG), involving 569 tracings in 300 patients, "non-reactive' traces showed a significant association with still-births and neonatal deaths, intrauterine growth retardation, admission to special care baby unit for conditions associated with intrauterine hypoxia, and low Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min. The report of the CTG was made available to the clinician in 144 patients and withheld in 156 patients. With the report available, significantly more patients were allowed to continue their antenatal care as out-patients, and significantly more antenatal in-patients were allowed home. There were no other significant differences in management, or outcome in the two groups.