Characteristics of Heart Rate Tracings in Preterm Fetus
Metadata
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MDPI
Materia
Fetal heart rate Preterm fetus Cardiotocography Fetal heart rate patterns Electronic fetal monitoring
Date
2021-05-25Referencia bibliográfica
Hurtado-Sánchez, M.F... [et al.]. Characteristics of Heart Rate Tracings in Preterm Fetus. Medicina 2021, 57, 528. [https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57060528]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Prematurity is currently a serious public health issue worldwide,
because of its high associated morbidity and mortality. Optimizing the management of these pregnancies
is of high priority to improve perinatal outcomes. One tool frequently used to determine
the degree of fetal wellbeing is cardiotocography (CTG). A review of the available literature on
fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring in preterm fetuses shows that studies are scarce, and the evidence
thus far is unclear. The lack of reference standards for CTG patterns in preterm fetuses can lead
to misinterpretation of the changes observed in electronic fetal monitoring (EFM). The aims of this
narrative review were to summarize the most relevant concepts in the field of CTG interpretation in
preterm fetuses, and to provide a practical approach that can be useful in clinical practice. Materials
and Methods: A MEDLINE search was carried out, and the published articles thus identified were
reviewed. Results: Compared to term fetuses, preterm fetuses have a slightly higher baseline FHR.
Heart rate is faster in more immature fetuses, and variability is lower and increases in more mature
fetuses. Transitory, low-amplitude decelerations are more frequent during the second trimester.
Transitory increases in FHR are less frequent and become more frequent and increase in amplitude as
gestational age increases. Conclusions: The main characteristics of FHR tracings changes as gestation
proceeds, and it is of fundamental importance to be aware of these changes in order to correctly
interpret CTG patterns in preterm fetuses.