Ultrasonographic Measurement of the Fetal Occiput Spine Angle During the First Stage of Labor as a Predictor of Normal Labor Outcomes
Keywords:
Ultrasonography, Occiput Spine angle, First stage of laborAbstract
Background: Effective labor care can reduce complications for both mother and newborn. The use of ultrasonography to measure the Occiput Spine angle during the first stage of labor is one of the methods that is incorporated into labor care.
Objectives: To study the relationship between the Occiput Spine angle during the first stage of labor and the outcome of normal vaginal delivery.
Method: This is a prospective study involving a sample of 120 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies and vertex presentation, who born at Koh Samui Hospital, Surat Thani Province from June 2024 to October 2024.The Occiput Spine angle was measured during the first stage of labor, statistical analysis was performed to predict the progression of labor and the outcomes of delivery.
Results: The average Occiput Spine angle shows a statistically significant difference, with the cesarean section group having the lowest average (116.0+5.6 degrees) and normal vaginal delivery group having the highest average (123.0+8.0 degrees) (p<0.05). The Occiput Spine angle of less than or equal to 118.0 degrees was associated with a higher likelihood of cesarean section (adjust OR: 3.64, 95% CI: 1.15–12.79, p<0.05). The diagnostic performance of the Occiput Spine angle in predicting cesarean section had moderate accuracy. The average Occiput Spine angle in primiparous and multiparous women showed no statistically significant difference (121.4 degrees and 122.7 degrees, respectively, p>0.05).
Conclusion: The measurement of the Occiput Spine angle should be used alongside other parameters to improve accuracy.
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