title: Maturation of human fetal responses to vibroacoustic stimulation.
abstract: Maturation of human fetal response to vibroacoustic stimulation was examined in 60 fetuses from 23 to 36 weeks gestational age. Subjects received vibroacoustic or no-stimulus control trials (randomly assigned) while fetal heart rate (FHR) was recorded and movement was observed on real-time ultrasound scan. Initially, at 26-28 weeks, a small FHR deceleration response occurred; subsequently, FHR acceleration responses occurred. From 29 weeks, 83%-100% of subjects responded with an FHR acceleration > or = 10 BPM on the first vibrator trial and accelerations were observed on 83%-92% of all vibrator trials. From 26 to 36 weeks the percentage of fetuses responding with movement on the first vibrator trial increased from 58% to 100%; on all vibrator trials responses increased from 53% to 94%. It was concluded that maturation of human fetal response to vibroacoustic stimulation begins at about 26 weeks gestation, increases steadily over a 6-week period, and reaches maturity at about 32 weeks.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kisilevsky
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Low
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D005324:Fetal Movement; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D014732:Vibration