Which test best spots fetal distress during labor? large study pits lactate against ECG analysis
NCT ID NCT04779294
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares two ways to check if a baby is getting enough oxygen during labor: measuring lactate from a tiny scalp blood sample and analyzing the fetal heart's electrical signal (STAN). Researchers will look at which method better identifies babies at risk of low oxygen, using umbilical cord blood pH after birth as the reference. The study includes about 700 full-term, single-baby pregnancies with certain risk factors. Results may help doctors choose the most accurate monitoring tool.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If one method proves superior, it could help doctors detect fetal distress more accurately during labor, potentially reducing birth complications.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial, so it won't directly improve outcomes. Results may show no clear winner or may not apply to all pregnancies.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Oslo University Hospital
Oslo, 0424, Norway
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