title: Does ethnicity have an effect on fetal behavior? A comparison of Asian and Caucasian populations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the ethnic difference in fetal behavior between Asian and Caucasian populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fetal behavior was assesed by Kurjak's antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound between 28 and 38 weeks of gestation. Eighty-nine Japanese (representative of Asians) and seventy-eight Croatian (representative of Caucasians) pregnant women were studied. The total value of KANET score and values of each parameter (eight parameters) were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total KANET score was normal in both populations, but there was a significant difference in total KANET scores between Japanese (median, 14; range, 10-16) and Croatian fetuses (median, 12; range, 10-15) (P<0.0001). When individual KANET parameters were compared, we found significant differences in four fetal movements (isolated head anteflexion, isolated eye blinking, facial alteration or mouth opening, and isolated leg movement). No significant differences were noted in the four other parameters (cranial suture and head circumference, isolated hand movement or hand to face movements, fingers movements, and gestalt of general movements).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that ethnicity should be considered when evaluating fetal behavior, especially during assessment of fetal facial expressions. Although there was a difference in the total KANET score between Japanese and Croatian populations, all the scores in both groups were within normal range. Our results indicate that ethnical differences in fetal behaviour do not affect the total KANET score, but close follow-up should be continued in some borderline cases.
authors.forename: Uiko
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hanaoka
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanenishi
authors.forename: Mohamed Ahmed
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mostafa AboEllail
authors.forename: Rina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uematsu
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Konishi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kusaka
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: Genzo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marumo
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vasilj
authors.forename: Asim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurjak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001519:Behavior; D017523:Croatia; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005324:Fetal Movement; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D044465:White People