title: Beat-to-beat detection of fetal heart rate: Doppler ultrasound cardiotocography compared to direct ECG cardiotocography in time and frequency domain.
abstract: In order to obtain power spectral information on the fetal heart rate in stages of pregnancy earlier than labor an algorithm has been developed to calculate the fetal heart rate on a beat-to-beat basis from Doppler ultrasound cardiotocographic signals. The algorithm was evaluated by comparing the calculated fetal heart rate with the heart rate determined from direct ECG signals measured with a scalp electrode. Heart rates were compared both in time and frequency domain. In the time domain the results achieved by both methods correlate well (correlation coefficient = 0.977 (p < 0.001)), in the frequency domain the results correlate even better (correlation coefficient = 0.991 (p < 0.001)). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the developed algorithm provides a valuable tool for obtaining power spectral information on the fetal heart rate in stages of pregnancy earlier than labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Chris H L
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Edith D M
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: ten Broeke
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andriessen
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.forename: Ralph C M
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Berendsen
authors.forename: Pieter F F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Wijn
authors.forename: S Guid
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Oei
mesh_terms: D015148:Cardiotocography / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*