Linear and nonlinear fetal heart rate analysis of normal and acidemic fetuses in the minutes preceding delivery

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

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

Journal

Title: Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing

Vol. 44

Pages: 847-855

ISSN: 0140-0118

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 83 Citations

Scopus - 92 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental biotechnology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-GY7

DOI: 10.1007/s11517-006-0105-6

Abstract (EN): Linear and nonlinear fetal heart rate (FHR) indices, namely mean FHR, interval index (II), very low, low and high frequencies, approximate (ApEn) and sample entropy (SampEn), were computed, immediately before delivery, in the initial and final FHR tracing segments, from 48 normal, 10 mildly acidemic and 10 moderate-to-severely acidemic fetuses. Progression of labor was associated with a significant increase in linear frequency domain indices whereas nonlinear indices were significantly decreased. Moderate-to-severe fetal acidemia was associated with a significant decrease in nonlinear indices. The best discrimination between moderate-to-severe acidemic fetuses and the remaining cases was obtained combining II and ApEn(2,0.15), with a specificity of 71% and a sensitivity of 80%. These findings support the hypothesis of increased autonomic nervous system activity in the final minutes of labor and of decreased central nervous system activity, both in the final minutes of labor and in moderate-to-severe acidemic fetuses.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9