Linear and complex heart rate dynamics vary with sex in relation to fetal behavioural states

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Joao Bernardes (Author) FMUP; Hernani Goncalves (Author) Other; Diogo Ayres De Campos (Author) FMUP; Ana Paula Rocha (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Early Human Development

Vol. 84

Pages: 433-439

ISSN: 0378-3782

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 49 Citations

Scopus - 52 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-XYY

DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2007.12.001

Abstract (EN): Background. A better understanding of gender influences on fetal heart rate can help to improve analysis of the latter and perhaps elucidate the increased risk of perinatal death that occurs in mates. Aim: To assess differences in linear and complex heart rate dynamics according to fetal sex, in the antepartum period of normal term pregnancies, for patterns associated with fetal behavioural. states. Study design and subjects: One hundred and eighty seven fetal heart rate segments of 10-minute duration, acquired with a system for computerized analysis of cardiotocograms and classified into fetal behavioural patterns A, B, C or D were analysed. They had been acquired from 24 female and 23 mate term fetuses, with uneventful perinatal outcomes. Four different comparative studies between female and mate fetuses were conducted, considering different adjustments for gestational age, weight and FHR pattern. Outcome measures: Indices of linear and nonlinear fetal heart rate variability, namely, long-term irregularity index, very tow, tow and high frequency spectral indices, approximate entropy and sample entropy. Results: Pattern B was the most frequent, both in female and mate fetuses. Pattern A was more likely to be associated to female than mate fetuses, whereas the opposite occurred with patterns C and D. Linear indices were significantly higher in mate than in female fetuses, whereas the opposite occurred with nonlinear indices. Conclusions: Mate fetuses exhibited significantly more linear and significantly less complex fetal heart rate activity than female fetuses, expressing signs of a more active autonomous nervous system and of less active complexity control systems. These aspects may need to be considered when interpreting FHR tracings.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7