Is end-stage deceleration of the fetal heart ominous?

End-stage deceleration (ESD) defined as deep and sustained fetal bradycardia during the second stage of labour was observed in 55 patients. Fetal well-being and neonatal outcome were assessed with fetal-scalp pH, umbilical-vein pH and 1-min Apgar score values. Only six infants with pathological fetal heart-rate patterns before ESD had a 1-min Apgar score of less than 7 and an acidotic umbilical-vein pH. The remaining 49 babies were born in excellent condition, although when ESD persisted for more than 15 min umbilical-vein pH decreased.