Ultrasound Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ultrasound, including details on screening, diagnosis, pregnancy, detection.

Fetal brain sonography and fetal heart rate patterns in the preterm fetus.

Rosier-van Dunné FM, van Geijn HP, Odendaal HJ, van Wezel-Meijler G, De Vries JI

VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. fleur.rosier@inter.nl.net

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to study whether peri- and intraventricular echodensities in the brain of fetuses at risk for preterm birth are associated with changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty preterm fetuses with peri- and intraventricular echodensities detected by transvaginal ultrasonography were matched with 20 fetuses without echodensities for gestational age, growth parameters, clinical disease, and maternal medication. Baseline FHR, long- and short-term variability, and the presence of accelerations and decelerations were analyzed with a computerized system and compared with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Both cases and controls were compared with a normal population. RESULTS: No statistical differences in FHR parameters were found between cases with and controls without peri- and intraventricular echodensities. Both cases and controls had lower long- and short-term variabilities than the normal population. CONCLUSION: No association between the presence of peri- and intraventricular echodensities and specific FHR changes was demonstrated.

Published 3 March 2008 in Am J Obstet Gynecol, 198(3): 296.e1-6.
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