Ogenyi P, Chiegwu HU, England A, Akanegbu UE, Ogbonna OS, Abubakar A, Luntsi G, Zira DJ, Dauda M. Appraisal of trimester-specific fetal heart rate and its role in gestational age prediction.
Radiography (Lond) 2022;
28:926-932. [PMID:
35820355 DOI:
10.1016/j.radi.2022.06.015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this study was to evaluate and report normal sonographic FHR values among low-risk singleton women across the three trimesters of pregnancy and determine FHR role in gestational age prediction.
METHOD
A prospective cross-sectional study of 2727 low-risk singleton pregnant women was undertaken. FHR measurements were obtained by a consultant radiologist and three experienced sonographers using transabdominal approach from January 2019 to December 2020. Two FHR measurements were taken for each participant. The fetal lie and presentation were also documented in the first trimester. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA).
RESULT
The maternal mean ± SD age was 25.8 ± 6.5 years and mean FHR for first, second and third trimesters were 151 ± 16, 145 ± 6 and 125±6 bpm respectively. The mean ± SD gestational age were 10 ± 2, 19 ± 3 and 34 ± 2 weeks for the first, second and third trimester respectively. Using ANOVA, there were statistically significant differences in FHR across the three trimesters (p ≤ 0.05). A positive correlation existed between maternal age and FHR (r = 0.57, p ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSION
This study has established normal values for FHR in first, second and third trimester respectively. Referring physicians, radiologists, sonographers, obstetricians and gynaecologists may consider FHR of (135-167) bpm (139-151) bpm and (119-131) bpm as normal FHR ranges for the first, second and third trimester respectively. This study has also revealed the possibility of gestational age prediction using FHR with the equation [Gestational Age = 87.8 - (0.47) FHR].
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
This paper provides the most up-to-date sonographic FHR recommendations for fetal management. More importantly, findings from this study also suggests that ultrasound practitioners can use FHR measurements as a reliable alternative for fetal dating.
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