Fetal movements as a predictor of health
File(s)
Author(s)
Lai, J
Nowlan, N
Vaidyanathan, R
Shaw, C
Lees, C
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The key determinant to a fetus maintaining its health is through adequate perfusion and oxygen transfer mediated by the functioning placenta. When this equilibrium is distorted, a number of physiological changes including reduced fetal growth occur to favour survival. Technologies have been developed to monitor these changes with a view to prolong intrauterine maturity whilst reducing the risks of stillbirth. Many of these strategies involve complex interpretation, for example Doppler ultrasound for fetal blood flow and computerisedcomputerized analysis of fetal heart rate changes. However, even with these modalities of fetal assessment to determine the optimal timing of delivery, fetal movements remain integral to clinical decision making. In high risk cohorts with fetal growth restriction, the manifestation of a reduction in perceived movements may warrant an expedited delivery. Despite this, there remains has been little evolution in the development of technologies to objectively define evaluate normal fetal movement behavior for behavior, and where there has, there has been no linkage to clinical useapplication. In tThis review we is an attempt to understand synthesize currently available literature on the value of fetal movement analysis as a method of assessing fetal wellbeing, and show how interdisciplinary developments in this area may aid in improvements to clinical outcomes.
Date Issued
2016-07-04
Date Acceptance
2016-06-27
Citation
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2016, 95 (9), pp.968-975
ISSN
1600-0412
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
968
End Page
975
Journal / Book Title
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Volume
95
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
© 2016 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Sponsor
Imperial Innovations Ltd
Grant Number
Case No. 6808
Subjects
Fetal movements
biophysical profile
fetal growth restriction
fetal monitoring
stillbirth
Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
1114 Paediatrics And Reproductive Medicine
1117 Public Health And Health Services
Publication Status
Published