title: The biophysical profile. A literature review and reassessments of its usefulness in the evaluation of fetal well-being.
abstract: Antenatal monitoring studies to assess fetal well-being and to identify the compromised fetus are in widespread use. This literature review analyzes the theoretical basis for fetal monitoring and the clinical research that has defined its utility, and it discusses the variations in protocols and scoring systems for the biophysical profile. While recognizing that there, is as yet, no consensus on the optimal monitoring protocol, the authors espouse one approach in which the cardiac nonstress test and the amniotic fluid volume are the initial tests, with full biophysical profile reserved for abnormal test outcomes. This approach to monitoring should be expeditious without diminishing its predictive value.
authors.affiliation: Phoenix Perinatal Associates, Arizona.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Finberg
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wapner
mesh_terms: D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy