Fetal panting: yet another response to the external vibratory acoustic stimulation test

Article Abstract:

A case report is presented to illustrate one type of response made by fetuses to vibratory acoustic stimulation (a prenatal test for fetal health). The pregnant 14-year-old mother developed abruptio placentae (in which the placenta prematurely detaches from the uterus) in the 28th gestational week, and was hospitalized until the bleeding stopped. Evaluation of fetal movements revealed abnormalities at 33 weeks' gestation, and a fetal vibratory acoustic stimulation test was performed. The fetus appeared normally active, but panting movements of its chest wall and diaphragm were noted. These movements occurred at the rate of 127 per minute. A similar pattern was elicited after fetal vibratory acoustic stimulation on the following day. A normal infant was delivered after 41 weeks' gestation, which was in good health. The fetal movements that have been characterized in response to fetal vibratory acoustic stimulation include head turning, mouth opening, tongue thrusting, and eye blinking. Rapid breathing movements (tachypnea) have been considered a sign of poor outcome. However, they may represent but another component of the startle response. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Physiological aspects, Observations, Fetal distress, Startle reaction

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Ultrasonic measurement of femur length in growth disturbances

Article Abstract:

The length of the femur, the long thigh bone, can be used to estimate the gestational age of a fetus. Ultrasonography, the use of high frequency sound waves to visualize internal structures, can reveal the size of a fetal femur regardless of the position of the fetus. To determine whether femur length measurements can be used to assess gestational age in growth retarded fetuses, 280 pregnant women with conditions known to affect fetal growth were studied. A total of 125 fetuses exhibited growth abnormality. The femur bones of fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) or macrosomia (a large body) were normal length for gestational age. Growth abnormalities that develop later in pregnancy seem to affect the weight of a fetus, but not the length. Conversely, the bones of large-for-gestational-age fetuses are heavier, not longer. Therefore, the femur bone is not affected by growth disturbances and the use of femur bone length measurements can safely be used to determine the gestational age of a fetus even in abnormal pregnancies.

Usage, Fetal growth retardation, Gestational age

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Suspected skeletal dysplasias: femur length to abdominal circumference ratio can be used in ultrasonographic prediction of fetal outcome

Article Abstract:

Calculations from fetal ultrasound measurements may be useful information when advising parents of a fetus with suspected skeletal defects. An abdominal to femur measurement ratio was calculated from ultrasound scans of 18 fetuses with suspected skeletal dysplasia and compared with their birth profiles or autopsy results. All nine fetuses with a ratio less than 0.16 had a lethal form of skeletal dysplasia. Fetuses with a ratio more than 0.16 either had no skeletal dysplasia or had a non-life-threatening skeletal defect.

Fetal monitoring, Dysplasia, Abdomen

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