Sex differences in the fetal heart rate variability indices of twins

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Tendais, I (Author) Other; Figueiredo, B (Author) Other; Hernani Goncalves (Author) FMUP; Joao Bernardes (Author) FMUP; Ayres De Campos, D (Author) Other; Montenegro, N (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Perinatal Medicine

Vol. 43

Pages: 221-225

ISSN: 0300-5577

Publisher: Walter De Gruyter

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-92N

DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2014-0031

Abstract (EN): Aims: To evaluate the differences in linear and complex heart rate dynamics in twin pairs according to fetal sex combination [male-female (MF), male-male (MM), and female-female (FF)]. Methods: Fourteen twin pairs (6 MF, 3 MM, and 5 FF) were monitored between 31 and 36.4 weeks of gestation. Twenty-six fetal heart rate (FHR) recordings of both twins were simultaneously acquired and analyzed with a system for computerized analysis of cardiotocograms. Linear and nonlinear FHR indices were calculated. Results: Overall, MM twins presented higher intrapair average in linear indices than the other pairs, whereas FF twins showed higher sympathetic-vagal balance. MF twins exhibited higher intrapair average in entropy indices and MM twins presented lower entropy values than FF twins considering the automatically selected) threshold r(Lu). MM twin pairs showed higher intrapair differences in linear heart rate indices than MF and FF twins, whereas FF twins exhibited lower intrapair differences in entropy indices. Conclusions: The results of this exploratory study suggest that twins have sex-specific differences in linear and nonlinear indices of FHR. MM twins expressed signs of a more active autonomic nervous system and MF twins showed the most active complexity control system. These results suggest that fetal sex combination should be taken into consideration when performing detailed evaluation of the FHR in twins.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5