Electronic Fetal Monitoring as a Remedy for Cerebral Palsy in Africa: First Do No Harm

Objective: To evaluate the use of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) as a means of reducing cerebral palsy (CP) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Background: CP is a significant problem in SSA where it is characteristically albeit erroneously considered synonymous with birth asphyxia, leading to the increasing use of EFM in a misguided effort to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. Design/Methods: We performed a systematic literature review of relevant publications since EFM’s inception a half-century ago (PUBMED, SCOPUS and COCHRANE), and surveyed neurologists, paediatricians and obstetricians in the East African region. Results: EFM has a 99.8% false positive rate, does not predict or prevent CP or any other neonatal neurological injury and has no proven efficacy in routine childbirth. EFM causes significant harm to mothers and babies by prompting unnecessary C-sections with all of the attendant complications of that procedure, leading to considerable risks in subsequent pregnancies including lifelong repeat C-sections with high rates of operative complications, uterine rupture, and placental abnormalities, all having a higher morbidity and mortality in SSA. Recent evidence suggests babies born by C-sections suffer an increased risk of chronic and autoimmune diseases. Additionally, while EFM use without informed consent is unethical, it may be challenging to obtain true informed consent in the SSA population. Conclusions: EFM is a waste of extremely scarce resources while simultaneously adding another layer of useless staff training complexity as well as significant morbidity and mortality to a desperately critical situation. The authors recommend ending continuous EFM in routine pregnancies in SSA, which aligns with the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and United Kingdom guidelines, follows recent USA recommendations, and comports with the World Health Organization Quality of Care Network goals. EFM related funding should be redirected to improve healthcare for mothers, train birth attendants, and focus on therapeutic intervention for children with CP and related neurological disorders. Disclosure: Dr. Johnston has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sartwelle has nothing to disclose. Dr. Arda has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zebenigus has nothing to disclose.