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King VJ, Bennet L, Stone PR, Clark A, Gunn AJ, Dhillon SK. Fetal growth restriction and stillbirth: Biomarkers for identifying at risk fetuses. Front Physiol 2022; 13:959750. [PMID: 36060697 PMCID: PMC9437293 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.959750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major cause of stillbirth, prematurity and impaired neurodevelopment. Its etiology is multifactorial, but many cases are related to impaired placental development and dysfunction, with reduced nutrient and oxygen supply. The fetus has a remarkable ability to respond to hypoxic challenges and mounts protective adaptations to match growth to reduced nutrient availability. However, with progressive placental dysfunction, chronic hypoxia may progress to a level where fetus can no longer adapt, or there may be superimposed acute hypoxic events. Improving detection and effective monitoring of progression is critical for the management of complicated pregnancies to balance the risk of worsening fetal oxygen deprivation in utero, against the consequences of iatrogenic preterm birth. Current surveillance modalities include frequent fetal Doppler ultrasound, and fetal heart rate monitoring. However, nearly half of FGR cases are not detected in utero, and conventional surveillance does not prevent a high proportion of stillbirths. We review diagnostic challenges and limitations in current screening and monitoring practices and discuss potential ways to better identify FGR, and, critically, to identify the “tipping point” when a chronically hypoxic fetus is at risk of progressive acidosis and stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria J. King
- Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura Bennet
- Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter R. Stone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alys Clark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Biomedical Engineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alistair J. Gunn
- Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simerdeep K. Dhillon
- Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Simerdeep K. Dhillon,
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Lacan L, Hamoud Y, Nguyen S, De Jonckheere J, Storme L, Houfflin-Debarge V, Auvin S, Sharma D, Garabedian C, Ghesquière L. Fetal sheep cerebral electrical activity: A new technique to record EEG. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 345:108888. [PMID: 32755616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sheep models are commonly used to study fetal cortical activity, including response to hypoxia. The standard technique consists of recording electrocorticogram (ECOG) in utero using electrodes placed on the dura mater. NEW METHOD We propose a new method for recording the electroencephalogram (EEG) of fetal sheep, using electrodes placed above the skull bone and fixed to the cranial periosteum. RESULTS Twelve animals were instrumented with this new technique. The EEG signal recorded in utero was of sufficient quality for visual and quantitative analysis of the fetal cortical activity. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD This new method is less invasive than the standard method commonly used to record cerebral activity in fetal sheep, because it avoids drilling the skull by hand. The EEG signal recorded in utero had visual and quantitative characteristics comparable to ECOG. CONCLUSIONS We present a new method of EEG recording that appears to be an acceptable alternative to the standard ECOG recording method. Fetal sheep EEG can be used to better understand the physiological mechanisms involved in the cerebral response to hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Lacan
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Pediatric Neurology, F-59000, Lille, France.
| | - Yasmine Hamoud
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Obstetrics, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Sylvie Nguyen
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Pediatric Neurology, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Julien De Jonckheere
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, CIC-IT 1403, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Laurent Storme
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Neonatology, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Véronique Houfflin-Debarge
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Obstetrics, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- APHP, Hôpital Robert Debré, Deparment of Pediatric Neurology, F-75019, Paris, France
| | - Dyuti Sharma
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Pediatric Surgery, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Charles Garabedian
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Obstetrics, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Louise Ghesquière
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, F-59000, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Obstetrics, F-59000, Lille, France
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Castel A, Frank YS, Feltner J, Karp FB, Albright CM, Frasch MG. Monitoring Fetal Electroencephalogram Intrapartum: A Systematic Literature Review. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:584. [PMID: 33042922 PMCID: PMC7518218 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Studies about the feasibility of monitoring fetal electroencephalogram (fEEG) during labor began in the early 1940s. By the 1970s, clear diagnostic and prognostic benefits from intrapartum fEEG monitoring were reported, but until today, this monitoring technology has remained a curiosity. Objectives: Our goal was to review the studies reporting the use of fEEG including the insights from interpreting fEEG patterns in response to uterine contractions during labor. We also used the most relevant information gathered from clinical studies to provide recommendations for enrollment in the unique environment of a labor and delivery unit. Data Sources: PubMed. Eligibility Criteria: The search strategy was: ("fetus"[MeSH Terms] OR "fetus"[All Fields] OR "fetal"[All Fields]) AND ("electroencephalography"[MeSH Terms] OR "electroencephalography"[All Fields] OR "eeg"[All Fields]) AND (Clinical Trial[ptyp] AND "humans"[MeSH Terms]). Because the landscape of fEEG research has been international, we included studies in English, French, German, and Russian. Results: From 256 screened studies, 40 studies were ultimately included in the qualitative analysis. We summarize and report features of fEEG which clearly show its potential to act as a direct biomarker of fetal brain health during delivery, ancillary to fetal heart rate monitoring. However, clinical prospective studies are needed to further establish the utility of fEEG monitoring intrapartum. We identified clinical study designs likely to succeed in bringing this intrapartum monitoring modality to the bedside. Limitations: Despite 80 years of studies in clinical cohorts and animal models, the field of research on intrapartum fEEG is still nascent and shows great promise to augment the currently practiced electronic fetal monitoring. Prospero Number: CRD42020147474.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Castel
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yael S Frank
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - John Feltner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Floyd B Karp
- School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Catherine M Albright
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Martin G Frasch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Maturational changes and effects of chronic hypoxemia on electrocortical activity in the ovine fetus. Brain Res 2011; 1402:38-45. [PMID: 21683944 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2011] [Revised: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 05/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We have studied the maturation of electrocortical (ECoG) activity in fetal sheep and the impact of chronic hypoxemia using a growth restriction model with placental embolizations. Twenty chronically catheterized fetal sheep (control, n=9; hypoxemic, n=11) were monitored at 116-119, 121-126 and 128-134 days gestational age (term=145 days), with ECoG activity scored using automated analysis of amplitude and frequency components to distinguish low-voltage/high frequency (LV/HF) and high-voltage/low frequency (HV/LF) state epochs, along with indeterminate voltage/frequency (IV/F) and transition period activities. We have shown that multiple aspects of ECoG state activity in the ovine fetus undergo maturational change as electrophysiologic measures of brain development. With chronic fetal hypoxemia, some maturational changes continue to occur, i.e. ECoG activity amplitude and 95% SEF, indicating the resiliency of these parameters to adverse conditioning. However, some maturational changes were altered, i.e. LV/HF and HV/LF incidence and duration, and likely regulated and adaptive with a decrease in the brain's nonessential energy needs, while some were altered, i.e. IV/F incidence and duration, and state transition times, and likely indicating a degree of aberrant development in associated control circuitries. This may then have consequences for disturbed sleep-wake patterns during later life and for adverse neurologic sequelae known to be increased in humans born with growth restriction.
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