PERINATAL OUTCOME IN WOMEN PRESENTING WITH DECREASED FETAL MOVEMENTS

Abstract

Background: Reduced fetal movements (DFM) during pregnancy are often indicative of compromised fetal well-being and have been associated with increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes. Maternal perception of fetal movement remains a critical, non-invasive tool for detecting early signs of fetal distress. In low-resource settings, where access to advanced monitoring may be limited, timely recognition and management of DFM can significantly impact neonatal health outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the perinatal outcomes in women presenting with reduced fetal movements during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals, Swat, from May 9, 2024, to November 9, 2024. A total of 124 pregnant women aged between 18 and 40 years, with singleton pregnancies and gestational age above 34 weeks, who reported decreased fetal movements, were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Women with known congenital anomalies or pre-existing medical conditions were excluded. Data were collected on maternal demographics and fetal outcomes, including small for gestational age (SGA), Apgar scores at five minutes, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.

Results: The mean maternal age was 28.15 ± 6.57 years, and the mean gestational age was 38.48 ± 1.68 weeks. Among the neonates, 12.1% (n=15) were small for gestational age, 21.8% (n=27) had low Apgar scores (<7 at five minutes), and 27.4% (n=34) required NICU admission.

Conclusion: The findings highlight that reduced fetal movements are significantly associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Vigilant monitoring and timely obstetric intervention in such pregnancies can improve neonatal prognosis and reduce complications.