Fetal breathing movements in the normal and growth-retarded human fetus: a multiscan/M-mode echofetographic study.
52 women were examined, between the 25th and 40th wk of pregnancy, during the day-time, by the echographic multiscan/M-mode technique. Definitions of normal fetal breathing movements and singultus fetalis movements were determined. In normal pregnancies fetal breathing movements occurred during 12-19% of the total observation time before the 39th wk of pregnancy but only during 6-9% of the observation time in the 39th or 40th wk. In low birth weight pregnancies fetal breathing movements occurred during 8-13% of the total observation time, and the incidence was the same before and after the 39th wk. Singultus fetalis movements occurred in normal and low birth weight pregnancies.
D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D005324:Fetal Movement; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012119:Respiration; D014463:Ultrasonography