IS ROUTINE NON-STRESS TEST NECESSARY? ANALYSIS OF 2000 CASES

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Objective: Non-stress test is frequently implemented as part of the routine work-up on late third trimester pregnant women yet its necessity have been poorly investigated. Our purpose was to investigate whether non-stress test should be a part of routine antenatal practice. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2000 non-stress tests results, applied on low-risk pregnancy population at 32-39 weeks of gestation, were documented and analyzed. The results of the tests were compared with the pregnancy outcome. Non-reassuring results were followed for whether they change the decision of follow-up plan for remaining pregnancy period. Results: None of the test results revealed distress pattern. Neither reassuring nor non-reassuring test Şndings were found to have any effect on pregnancy outcome or follow-up plan. Conclusion: Our results have revealed that routine application of non-stress test should be abondoned in low-risk pregnancy population in antenatal polyclinics.

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