Effect of halogen light in fetal stimulation for fetal well-being assessment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the shortening of the time of nonstress test (NST) by using transabdominal fetal stimulation with halogen light.


METHODS
Experimental research.


METHODS
The authors enrolled 176 pregnant women between 32 and 42 weeks of gestation indicated for NST at the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. They were randomly assigned to receive either NST (control) or halogen light stimulation test (LST). The stimulation was performed at the beginning of the test and repeated every 10 minutes until reassuring fetal heart rate (FHR) acceleration was achieved, or up to 3 times. All tracings were interpreted blindly by one investigator at the end of the tests.


RESULTS
The mean (+/- SD) duration from starting the test to the first FHR acceleration was not significantly different between the control group and the LST group (5.6 +/- 7.2 and 5.4 +/- 5.2 minutes, respectively). The average testing time (+/- SD) to achieved reactivity was 10.5 +/- 8.8 minutes in the controls and 9.6 +/- 6.7 minutes in the LST group. This was not statistically different. The incidence of nonreactive tests was not significantly different between the LST and the controls (15.9% and 11.4%, respectively). Among the LST subjects, term fetuses and women with BMI < 27 kg/m2 required less time to reach reactivity, 2.4 and 2.3 minutes respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Transabdominal halogen light stimulation did not shorten the duration of NST in the presented population. However, the presented data suggests that the fetus at term could respond to visual stimulation, especially when the gestational age is more advanced.
Thanaboonyawat
Isarin
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Wataganara
Tuangsit
T
Boriboonhiransarn
Dittakarn
D
Viboonchart
Sommai
S
Tontisirin
Pornpen
P
D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006219:Halogens; D006304:Health Status; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis
D006219:Halogens