Intraventricular hemorrhage and fetal heart rate in very low birth weight infants.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to investigate the relationship between fetal heart rate patterns before delivery and periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in the very low birth weight infant.


METHODS
The last 30 minutes of electronic fetal heart rate data preceding delivery were analyzed for 84 singleton infants weighing between 700 and 1500 gm. All these infants received serial cranial ultrasonographic examinations commencing within 24 to 48 hours of birth.


RESULTS
Thirty-three fetuses had normal heart rate patterns, and 51 had fetal heart rate abnormalities. Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage was not associated with fetal heart rate abnormalities. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that only gestational age < 28 weeks was a significant contributing factor to periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 4.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal heart rate patterns immediately preceding delivery are not predictive of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in the very low birth weight infant.
Casey
B M
BM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas 75235-9032, USA.
Nathan
L
L
Leveno
K J
KJ
Perlman
J M
JM
Sherman
M L
ML
D000328:Adult; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography