title: Fetal heart rate pattern reflecting the severity of placental abruption.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns reflecting the severity of placental abruption, and to determine the incidence of normal FHR pattern in cases of placental abruption.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed FHR tracings from 40 pregnant Japanese women with placental abruption. We analyzed which FHR patterns appeared more frequently in cases of low 5-min Apgar score, low cord arterial pH, and large separation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight out of 40 cases showed a normal FHR pattern, while 32 cases did not show a normal FHR pattern. Undetectable variability and bradycardia appeared more frequently in cases with 5-min Apgar < 7, with cord blood pH < 7.1, and with larger placental separation than in cases without these features. The normal FHR pattern was associated with 5-min Apgar > or = 7, cord blood pH > or = 7.1, and separation of <25%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetal heart rate pattern reflected the severity of placental abruption. Undetectable variability and bradycardia occurred significantly more frequently in cases of severe placental abruption, and thus may reflect the severity of placental abruption.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
authors: Rie
authors: R
authors: Usui
authors: Shigeki
authors: S
authors: Matsubara
authors: Akihide
authors: A
authors: Ohkuchi
authors: Tomoyuki
authors: T
authors: Kuwata
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Watanabe
authors: Akio
authors: A
authors: Izumi
authors: Mitsuaki
authors: M
authors: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001034:Apgar Score; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011247:Pregnancy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography