title: Fetal magnetoencephalogram recordings and Fourier spectral analysis.
abstract: This study investigates the fetal brain activity in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Measurements were performed by means of a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) in an electrically shielded room of low magnetic noise. The study was prospective. Eleven pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and 21 normal pregnancies were included. All were at 37-40 weeks of pregnancy. Biomagnetic signals (waveforms), recorded from the fetal brains in the frequency range of 2-7 Hz, were expressed in terms of magnetic power spectral amplitudes. These were low (mean, 376.67; SD, 28.66) in almost all normal pregnancies, and high (mean, 554.91; SD, 149.56) in most pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia. These findings were of statistical significance (Student's t -test, P < 0.005). Biomagnetic measurements of fetal brain activity is a promising screening procedure for assessing the cerebral function, especially in high risk pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, Demokritus University of Thrace, Alexandoupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anastasiadis
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Anninos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotini
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Limberis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galazios