Previous experimental studies on the acutely exteriorized fetal lamb have demonstrated the occurrance of changes in the S-T interval of the fetal ECG during early phase of hypoxia,in parallell with changes in the somatosensory-evoked EEG and without signs of failing cardiovascular function.There are a number of findings indicating the anaerobic utilization of myocardial glycogen to be the metabolic background to the fetal ECG changes.The present study was undertaken in order to see if the same pattern of changes exists immediately postpartum and if the degree of change reflect the birth trauma as judged from the cardiotochographic (CTG) recording and Apgar score.28 children with normal CTG and 29 with CTG changes were examined with a precordial ECG recorded within 2 min after birth.High and peaked T waves (high T/QRS-ratios) were significantly more common in the group with CTG changes.The children with ECG changes also had significantly lower Apgar scores and more neonatal complications.The immediate postpartum ECG seems to give good information of the accumulated hypoxic stress to which the child has been submitted during delivery.
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