Publication:

Comparison of neonatal outcome after labour monitoring by paperless partograph and modified who partograph

Background The sustainable development goal (SDG) 3.2 aims to reduce preventable neonatal mortality to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. Monitoring of women in labour helps in the decrease, yet the modified WHO partograph is often not used. For use by clinicians in low resource areas, a paperless partograph has been developed. It is a simple, quick, easy to learn calculation to help monitor the progress of labour. One can decide the time to take action or to transfer a woman to another centre. The aim of the study was to compare neonatal outcome when labour is monitored by paperless partograph and modified WHO partograph.

Methods 1040 women admitted in labour room were divided into two groups. and assessed during labour using Modified WHO partograph (group A) or using paperless partograph (group B). Neonatal outcome of two groups was observed and compared in terms of APGAR scores, NICU admissions (rate, reason and duration of admission).

Results The Apgar score at 5 minutes was >7 for 99.03% in the paperless partograph and 98.07% in WHO partograph groups. There was no significant difference between the NICU admission rates, duration or reason in the two groups.

Conclusions Since the outcome in the two groups is similar, paperless partograph can replace modified WHO partograph for monitoring of the labour in low resource settings.