Urine production rate is related to behavioural states in the near term human fetus.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between hourly fetal urine production rate (HFUPR) and behavioural states 1F and 2F (corresponding to quiet and active sleep, respectively) in normal near term fetuses.


METHODS
An observational study.


METHODS
A clinic for antenatal care at a university hospital.


METHODS
Nineteen healthy pregnant women examined at 37 to 40 weeks of gestation.


METHODS
Fetal behavioural states (1F and 2F) were assessed by means of fetal heart rate patterns (FHR A and FHR B). Using real time ultrasonography, HFUPR (ml/h) was estimated during behavioural states 1F and 2F.


RESULTS
During behavioural state 1F, HFUPR was significantly higher than during state 2F (P < 0.01). HFUPR falls by 47% from 50.8 +/- 24.4 ml/h in state 1F to 25.7 +/- 15.0 ml/h in state 2F.


CONCLUSIONS
During active sleep (state 2F) hourly fetal urine production rate is considerably reduced as compared to quiet sleep (state 1F).
Oosterhof
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
vd Stege
J G
JG
Lander
M
M
Prechtl
H F
HF
Aarnoudse
J G
JG
D001519:Behavior; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology*