Intra-uterine temperature measurements during fetal tachycardia.

Intra-uterine and oral temperatures were recorded in 23 patients with fetal tachycardia during labour, as well as in 22 patients without fetal tachycardia. In the tachycardia group, the mean intra-uterine temperature was 38,83 degrees C, against 37,44 degrees C in the control group. The oral temperatures were 38,05 degrees C and 33,98 degrees C respectively. Furthermore, a high incidence of neonatal infections occurred in the tachycardia group--11 against 1 in the control group. To distinguish infection from other causes of fetal tachycardia, intra-uterine temperature measurements could be applied as a diagnostic aid.