Fetal scalp damage and neonatal jaundice: a risk of routine fetal scalp electrode monitoring

Abstract

Summary Damage can be caused to the fetal scalp by the application of a spiral electrode in routine fetal heart rate monitoring. In a prospective study of 192 randomly selected mothers with low-risk labours, complications occurred in 4 babies (2 per cent). In the neonatal period these babies had excessive scalp bruising surrounding an area of skin damage and subcutaneous necrosis where the spiral electrode had been applied. The scalp bruising had apparently contributed to severe jaundice, which was treated by phototherapy.