Study of perinatal outcome in relation with non reactive non stress test

Background: Non-Stress Test (NST) is widely used for antepartum fetal surveillance. While a reactive NST is reassuring, the predictive value of a non-reactive NST remains controversial. Objective: To evaluate perinatal outcome in pregnancies with non-reactive NST after 34 weeks of gestation and to assess its impact on mode of delivery. Methods: This non-randomized descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year. A total of 104 singleton pregnancies ?34 weeks with non-reactive NST were included. Baseline FHR, beat-to-beat variability, accelerations, and decelerations were analyzed. Perinatal outcomes including mode of delivery, Apgar score, NICU admission, morbidity, and mortality were studied. Results: Among 104 cases, 67.3% were high-risk pregnancies. Caesarean section rate was 52%. Absent beat-to-beat variability was significantly associated with increased perinatal morbidity (p=0.01). Presence of FHR decelerations significantly correlated with adverse neonatal outcome (p