Power spectral analysis of the heart rate of the human fetus at 26 and 36 weeks of gestation

The fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded from the maternal abdomen together with sonographic detection of fetal states in four pregnant patients at 26 and 36 weeks of gestation. Computerised algorithms obtained a good recognition of maternal ECG and fetal ECG. The corresponding power spectral...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical physics and physiological measurement 1989-01, Vol.10 (4B), p.57-60
Main Authors: Ferrazzi, E, Pardi, G, Setti, P Levi, Rodolfi, M, Civardi, S, Cerutti, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Electrocardiography - instrumentation
Electrocardiography - methods
Female
Heart Rate, Fetal - physiology
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
Respiration - physiology
Ultrasonography
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Summary:The fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded from the maternal abdomen together with sonographic detection of fetal states in four pregnant patients at 26 and 36 weeks of gestation. Computerised algorithms obtained a good recognition of maternal ECG and fetal ECG. The corresponding power spectral density (PSD) was estimated during epochs of quiet or breathing movements for 256 consecutive heart beats. At 36 weeks of gestation the PSD analysis showed heart rate variability components similar to an adult heart. A low frequency component was observed together with a high frequency component in the range of fetal breathing movements. This high frequency component (0.6 - 0.9 Hz) disappeared from the PSD analysis during epochs of apnea. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of such a mechanism in the human fetus in utero. At 26 weeks no respiratory component was observed in the PSD analysis. The maturation of control mechanisms could be responsible for this difference.
ISSN:0143-0815
DOI:10.1088/0143-0815/10/4B/009