Intrautrine Growth Restriction - IUGR

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD000038.

Biophysical profile for fetal assessment in high risk pregnancies.
Alfirevic Z, Neilson JP.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK, L69 3BX. zarko@liverpool. Ac.uk

Background:

Biophysical profile usually includes ultrasound monitoring of fetal movements, fetal tone and fetal breathing, ultrasound assessment of amniotic fluid volume and assessment of fetal heart rate by electronic monitoring.

Objectives:

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of biophysical profile tests on pregnancy outcome in high risk pregnancies. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth trials register. Date of last search: October 1998. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing fetal biophysical profile with other forms of fetal assessment in women with high risk pregnancies. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Trial quality was assessed. MAIN

Results:

Four studies were included. Most trials were not of high quality. No difference was found between biophysical profile and other forms of fetal assessment over a range of fetal and neonatal measures. REVIEWER'S

Conclusions:

At present, there is not enough evidence from randomised trials to evaluate the use of biophysical profile as a test of fetal well-being in high risk pregnancies.