The effect of glucose on Doppler flow velocity waveforms and heart rate pattern in the human fetus.
Twenty-four healthy pregnant women were studied between 36 and 40 weeks gestation to determine the effect of glucose on the Doppler flow velocity waveform in the cerebral and umbilical arteries of the human fetus near term. The Resistance Index (RI), as an index of vascular resistance, was calculated for the anterior cerebral, internal carotid and umbilical arteries during a fasting control period, 45 min and again at 120 min after a 50-g maternal oral glucose drink or an equivalent amount of water. Fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern as determined by FHR variability was monitored as a measure of behavioural state. The RI of both cerebral vessels was significantly lower after the glucose drink, while that of the umbilical artery was little changed subsequent to either of the drinks. However the FHR mean min range, as an index of long term FHR variability was significantly increased when measured 30 to 60 min after the glucose drink and controlling for this change removed the effect of glucose on the RI of the cerebral vessels. We conclude that glucose does have an indirect effect on the cerebral Doppler waveform indices of the human fetus which is mediated through induced changes in behavioural state.
Gillis
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lawson Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
Connors
G
G
Potts
P
P
Hunse
C
C
Richardson
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012212:Rheology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D005947:Glucose