Effect of maternal glucose ingestion on fetal breathing and body movements in late pregnancy.
Fetal breathing movements and fetal whole body movements were observed over 2 hours in 22 normal singleton pregnancies between 34 and 38 weeks gestation using a real time ultrasonic B scan method. The proportion of time fetuses spent making breathing movements increased from 9.9 per cent to 48.3 per cent within one hour of their fasting mothers taking a 50 g glucose drink. Fetal whole body movements were not increased after maternal glucose ingestion. Arousal of the fetal central nervous system seems dependent on the level of fetal blood glucose.
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000502:physiology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002110:Caffeine; D005947:Glucose