Relation of fetal blood gases and data from computer-assisted analysis of fetal heart rate patterns in small for gestation fetuses

Article Abstract:

The heart rate of the fetus can be monitored to assess the condition of the fetus. Because the interpretation of fetal heart rate patterns varies widely, the computer has been used to provide reproducible results. Studies have shown a relation between the variation in fetal heart rate and blood levels of oxygen in the umbilical cord. The relation of fetal heart rate to acidity and oxygen levels of fetal blood obtained by cordocentesis was assessed. Cordocentesis is a method of obtaining blood samples from the umbilical cord, and acidity is determined by the level of hydrogen ions in a given volume, referred to as pH. The fetal heart rate was monitored in 25 fetuses, who were considered small for their gestational age, that is, the time from conception. Blood from the fetus was then sampled by cordocentesis for determination of pH and oxygen levels. The results showed a relation between the variation in fetal heart rate and the pH and oxygen levels of blood from the umbilical vein. The fetal blood gases oxygen and carbon dioxide could not be accurately predicted based on fetal heart rate patterns due to the wide variation in fetal heart rate. However, variations in fetal heart rate of less than 20 milliseconds tended to be associated with abnormally low blood oxygen levels and increased acidity of fetal blood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Usage, Risk factors, Fetal heart rate monitoring, Electronic fetal monitoring, Fetal blood, Fetal anoxia

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Fetal plasma erythropoietin in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes mellitus

Article Abstract:

Hemoglobin and erythropoietin concentrations appear to be elevated in fetuses of pregnant women with diabetes. Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. Umbilical cord samples were taken from 31 pregnant women with diabetes. Compared with normal pregnancies, fetal blood pH was lower and the average concentrations of carbon dioxide, erythropoietin and hemoglobin were higher. Levels of erythroblasts, which are immature red blood cells, were also higher than normal. The increase in fetal erythropoietin was associated with higher counts of erythroblasts, but it was not related to the mother's blood sugar control or to oxygenation of the fetus. However, fetal levels of blood glucose and pH were significantly associated with blood sugar concentration in the mother. These findings suggest hyperglycemia in the mother induces hyperglycemia in the fetus. The drop in blood pH and the increase in erythropoietin and hemoglobin concentrations are probably signs of the inadequate oxygenation of fetal tissues resulting from the hyperglycemia.

Physiological aspects, Hemoglobin, Hemoglobins, Diabetes in pregnancy, Gestational diabetes, Erythropoietin

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Early prenatal diagnosis of triploidy

Article Abstract:

The use of ultrasound examination and maternal blood levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may accurately detect triploidy between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. Triploidy is a fatal condition where three sets of chromosomes are found in each cell rather than two sets. Researchers performed ultrasound examinations on 58,862 pregnant women and identified 18 fetuses with triploidy, a rate of 1 in 3,270. Maternal hCG levels were available for 13 of the triploid pregnancies, and 11 triploid pregnancies involved high hCG levels. Triploid fetuses also had higher than normal heart rates.

Methods, Evaluation, Diagnosis, Trisomy, Chorionic gonadotropin, Chorionic gonadotropins, Prenatal diagnosis, Diagnosis, Ultrasonic, Diagnostic ultrasonography

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