Fetal brain sonography and fetal heart rate patterns in the preterm fetus.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to study whether peri- and intraventricular echodensities in the brain of fetuses at risk for preterm birth are associated with changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters.


METHODS
Twenty preterm fetuses with peri- and intraventricular echodensities detected by transvaginal ultrasonography were matched with 20 fetuses without echodensities for gestational age, growth parameters, clinical disease, and maternal medication. Baseline FHR, long- and short-term variability, and the presence of accelerations and decelerations were analyzed with a computerized system and compared with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Both cases and controls were compared with a normal population.


RESULTS
No statistical differences in FHR parameters were found between cases with and controls without peri- and intraventricular echodensities. Both cases and controls had lower long- and short-term variabilities than the normal population.


CONCLUSIONS
No association between the presence of peri- and intraventricular echodensities and specific FHR changes was demonstrated.
Rosier-van Dunné
Fleur M
FM
VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. fleur.rosier@inter.nl.net
van Geijn
Herman P
HP
Odendaal
Hein J
HJ
van Wezel-Meijler
Gerda
G
De Vries
Johanna I
JI
D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology*; D004453:Echoencephalography; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal