Abdominal decompression for suspected fetal compromise/pre-eclampsia

Hofmeyr GJ

Bookmark this:

more ...

Summary

Synopsis pending

This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2, Copyright © 2008 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This record should be cited as: Hofmeyr GJ. Abdominal decompression for suspected fetal compromise/pre-eclampsia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1996, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD000004. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000004

This version first published online: April 22. 1996
Date of last subtantive update: February 12. 1996

Abstract

Background

Abdominal decompression was developed as a means of pain relief during labour. It has also been used for complications of pregnancy, and in healthy pregnant women in an attempt to improve fetal wellbeing and intellectual development.

Objectives

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of antenatal abdominal decompression for maternal hypertension or impaired fetal growth, on perinatal outcome.

Search strategy

The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched. Date of last search: 25 October 2004.

Selection criteria

Randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing abdominal decompression with no decompression in women with pre-eclampsia and/or fetuses thought to be compromised.

Data collection and analysis

Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by one reviewer.

Main results

Three studies were included, all with the possibility of containing serious bias.
Therapeutic abdominal decompression was associated with the following reductions: persistent pre-eclampsia (relative risk 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.72); fetal distress in labour (relative risk 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.71); low birthweight (relative risk 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.40 to 0.63); Apgar scores less than six at one minute (relative risk 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.56); and perinatal mortality (relative risk 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.22 to 0.71).

Authors' conclusions

Due to the methodological limitations of the studies, the effects of therapeutic abdominal decompression are not clear. The apparent improvements in birthweight and perinatal mortality warrant further evaluation of abdominal decompression where there is impaired fetal growth and possibly for women with pre-eclampsia.

top of page | contact us | about this site | disclaimer | privacy