Abnormal fetal heart rate pattern associated with severe intrapartum maternal ethanol intoxication. A case report.

Acute intrapartum ethanol intoxication occurred in a chronic ethanol abuser. Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring revealed a pattern of fetal tachycardia, decreased variability and late and variable decelerations in association with a maternal serum ethanol level of 300 mg/dL. This case gives evidence of an association between very high maternal serum ethanol levels and acute fetal distress.