GESTATIONAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FETAL WELL-BEING TEST WITH THE NON-STRESS TEST IN PREGNANT WOMEN CARED FOR IN A HIGH-ALTITUDE HOSPITAL

This study investigates maternal and gestational factors influencing non-stress test (NST) outcomes in pregnant women cared for at a high-altitude hospital in Peru (over 3,800 meters). Analyzing data from 134 women, the research found that advanced maternal age (≥30 years), overweight status (40.3% of non-reactive cases), antepartum hemorrhage (29.1%), a double nuchal cord (present in 50% of participants, all associated with non-reactive or doubtful NSTs), and normal amniotic fluid volume between weeks 33-37 were strongly and statistically significantly linked to non-reactive NST results. Surprisingly, oligohydramnios between weeks 28-32 was associated with reactive NSTs. The findings challenge conventional interpretations of NST in high-altitude settings, suggesting that standard low-altitude criteria may lead to false positives. The study concludes that maternal age, weight, bleeding, cord loops, and amniotic fluid volume must be considered when evaluating fetal well-being in high-altitude populations to improve clinical decision-making.