Biophysical fetal assessment--the Rotunda experience.

The evaluation of fetal health using ultrasound to establish a biophysical profile in the Rotunda Hospital in 1987 is reported. The corrected perinatal mortality rate fell from 10.0 in 1986 to 6.9 per 1,000 for babies over 500g and from 5.9 in 1986 to 3.4 for babies over 1,000g. This was achieved without significant alteration in induction and caesarean section rates. The results indicate that this type of fetal assessment does lead to a reduction in perinatal mortality.