Vibroacoustic stimulation evokes human fetal micturition.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of vibroacoustic stimulation on fetal voiding as a measure of stress.


METHODS
Fetal bladder volumes were examined serially by ultrasound 5 and 1 minutes before and 1 and 5 minutes after vibroacoustic stimulation (21 cases) or sham stimulation (20 cases).


RESULTS
In the stimulated group, the mean (+/- SD) bladder volume decreased from 21.7 +/- 11.3 mL 1 minute before stimulation to 12.8 +/- 9.4 mL 1 minute after vibroacoustic stimulation, a statistically significant difference (P < .001). There was no significant decrease in bladder volume in the sham-stimulated fetuses. The correlations between bladder volume 1 minute before and 1 and 5 minutes after vibroacoustic stimulation were statistically significant (P < .01 and P < .001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Vibroacoustic stimulation induces fetal voiding, which may reflect a response to stress.
Zimmer
E Z
EZ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York.
Chao
C R
CR
Guy
G P
GP
Marks
F
F
Fifer
W P
WP
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration