Assessment of linear parameters of Electrohysterograph (EHG) in diagnosis of true labor

Abstract

The diagnosis of true labor has been described as one of the most difficult and important judgments made by providers of maternity care as accurate diagnosis of true labor is essential to predict preterm birth as early as possible to prevent subsequent complications associated with prematurity. Currently used techniques for prediction of true labor are either highly invasive (IUCP) or highly subjective with low predictive values (TOCO). There is a great need for a more reliable and non-invasive method to detect electrical changes in uterine muscles that occur during the transition from pregnancy towards labor. Analyzing EHG records and some linear parameters extracted from these records among Iraqi women during pregnancy and delivery. Pregnant ladies who attended the obstetrical wards and labor rooms of Baghdad Teaching Hospital and Private Nursing Home at Baghdad Medical City from April- July 2019 and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and divided into laboring and non-laboring groups based on presence of labor signs. EHG was recorded for 30 minutes using 4 disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes attached to the abdominal surface and a reference electrode. EHG records were digitized, stored and then analyzed to extract and compare some linear parameters between the two groups. Thirty-two pregnant ladies with a mean age of (27.72±5.64 years) were included in the study then were subdivided into 18 laboring and 14 non-laboring matched groups. Results showed a significantly higher root mean square, mean and peak frequency of the power spectral density values in labor compared to non-labor groups. In conclusion, Uterine EHG monitoring in pregnant women can be a very promising tool to diagnose the onset of true labor. Linear features extracted from EHG record, i.e. root mean square, peak and mean frequency of the power spectral density increase significantly in labor than pregnancy groups.