A false negative oxytocin challenge test.

A negative oxytocin challenge test has been considered a very reassuring finding in managing pregnancies in which the fetus is at risk from uteroplacental insufficency. In the case described here a fetal death in utero occurred 4 days after a negative oxytocin challenge test in a Class D diabetic patient, but in that period of time the patient's metabolic status deteriorated. A negative oxytocin challenge test does not protect the fetus from a subsequent acute event such as abruptio placentae, a cord accident, or diabetic ketoacidosis.