7(1979)291

Fetal cardiotocography (CTG) and scalp blood pH determinations are thought to be the most reliable and populär methods of fetal monitoring in modern obstetrics. However, it would be clear that these two methods are still not complete to assure fetal wellbeing in utero. Thus, we have explored several methods, such äs continuous monitoring of fetal tissue oxygen availability (a02), multiphasic determinations of feto-maternal blood biochemi-cal parameters, fetal electrocardiographic and mechanocardiographic analyses, and so on, for the estimation of intrauterine fetal conditions. The purpose of thisinvestigation was to clarify whether these multiphasic biophysical and biochemical parameters could be used for the accurate diagnosis of fetal distress, and how we could approach fetal safety limit during the perinatal period. l Material and methods A total of 125 high-risk pregnancies, determined by scores designed by HOBEL et al [7] and GOODWIN et al [6], were studied at the Fukuoka University Hospital during a two year period from January 1975 through December 1976. The bare platinum p02 microelectrode and Ag/AgCl anöde, both of which were mounte din HEWLETT-PACKARD, spiral ECG electrodes (Fig. 1), were placed on the presenting part of the fetus during the early stage of labor, and changes in fetal a02 were recorded on a RIKKADENKI multi-pen recorder, using a SHIN-EI polarographic bridge, POG-200, simul-taneously with fetal CTG, obtained from direct Curriculum vitae TSUYOSHI KANEOKA