Opportunities for infrared thermometry in predicting obstetric perineal rupture

Abstract

Aim: to assess an opportunity of using infrared thermometry in predicting obstetric perineal tear.Materials and Methods. There was conducted a prospective analysis of 40 childbirth cases recorded in 2019-2020. There were stratified 2 study groups: Group 1 included 30 women without perineal injuries; Group 2 - 10 women with obstetric perineal rupture. Infrared thermometry in the posterior perineal junction projection was performed during the second period of labor at two timepoints: 1 - onset of the second labor period; 2 - descent of fetal head parietal tubercles.Results. The temperature difference between the first and second timepoints in Group 1 was 1.8 [1.71; 1.99] °C, in Group 2 - 2.7 [2.42; 2.82] °C (U = 54.000, p = 0.002). The rate of perineal temperature decline > 2.0 °C in Group 1 was 20 % (6/30), in Group 2 - 80 % (8/10) of cases (х2 = 11.868; p = 0.001). Such observation exhibited relatively high strength of relationship (V = 0.545). It is noteworthy that if perineal temperature decline at least by 2.0 °C for 2 minutes from descent of fetal head parietal tubercles to full birth of fetal head, the perineal rupture occurred in 100 % of cases (х2 = 7.556; p = 0.006), also featured with relatively high strength (V = 0.435).Conclusion. Perineal skin temperature decline at least by 2.0 °C for 2 minutes or more from descent of fetal head parietal tubercles may potentially be used as a criterion justifying episiotomy.

Keywords

• birth injury
• perineal rupture
• infrared thermometry
• episiotomy