The effect of fetal behavioral states on middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine whether is there a difference in the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA PSV) between active and resting behavioral states in healthy fetuses aged 30 to 32 weeks.


METHODS
MCA blood flow was measured by pulsed Doppler sonography 3 times during each fetal behavioral state (active and resting). The average during active state was compared during the resting state. Statistical analysis was performed by paired t test.


RESULTS
During the fetal active state, there was a significant increase in the mean PSV (51.59 cm/s vs 46.95 cm/s, P < .0001) and mean end-diastolic velocity (9.59 cm/s vs 7.98 cm/s, P=.0015), and a significant decrease in the mean pulsatility index (PI) (2.07 vs 2.19, P=.0226) and the mean resistance index (0.83 vs 0.85, P=.0481).


CONCLUSIONS
Healthy preterm fetuses have a significantly higher MCA PSV during the active state. Activity state should be considered when interpreting MCA Doppler indices.
Sallout
Bahauddin I
BI
University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada. bsallout@ottawahospital.on.ca
Fung
Karen Fung Kee
KF
Wen
Shi W
SW
Medd
Laura M
LM
Walker
Mark C
MC
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D015148:Cardiotocography; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal