ASSOCIATION OF ABNORMAL CARDIOTOCOGRAPHIC PATTERNS WITH INTRAOPERATIVE CAESAREAN SECTION FINDINGS AND NEONATAL OUTCOMES: A HOSPITAL-BASED OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: Cardiotocography (CTG) is widely used for antepartum and intrapartum fetal surveillance. Abnormal fetal heart rate patterns may indicate fetal compromise and can influence the decision for operative delivery. Correlation of CTG abnormalities with intraoperative findings and neonatal outcomes may help assess their clinical relevance. Objectives:To evaluate CTG characteristics among women undergoing caesarean section for abnormal cardiotocography and to determine their association with intraoperative findings and neonatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,Pt. J.N.M. Medical College and Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, from March 2023 to February 2024. A total of 200 pregnant women undergoing caesarean section for abnormal cardiotocography were included according to predefined eligibility criteria. Maternal demographic and obstetric characteristics,CTG parameters at the time of decision for caesarean section, intraoperative findings, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Associations between CTG parameters and maternal, obstetric, intraoperative, and neonatal variables were analysed. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.