Automated methods of fetal assessment: The future of antenatal testing

Conventional approaches to antenatal assessment require considerable input from domain experts to provide their maximum benefit. Many of the tests commonly used suffer from inter- or intraobserver errors, lack of objectivity and reproducibility, and inappropriate application by less experienced personnel. Recent developments in computer-assisted analyses of fetal heart rate testing and biophysical testing are presented to address some of these concerns. The development and validation of expert systems which address the use of domain knowledge to improve diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches to antenatal management are described. Future areas of investigation are suggested.