Computation of Fetal Kicking in Various Fetal Health Examinations: A Systematic Review

Pioneering a chick embryo model to explore the intrauterine etiology of developmental dysplasia of the hip in oligohydramnios conditions

OBJECTIVE

To explore the impact of oligohydramnios on fetal movement and hip development, given its association with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) but unclear mechanisms.

METHODS

Chick embryos were divided into four groups based on the severity of oligohydramnios induced by amniotic fluid aspiration (control, 0.2 mL, 0.4 mL, 0.6 mL). Fetal movement was assessed by detection of movement and quantification of residual amniotic fluid volume. Hip joint development was assessed by gross anatomic analysis, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for cartilage assessment, and histologic observation at multiple time points. In addition, a subset of embryos from the 0.4 mL aspirated group underwent saline reinfusion and subsequent evaluation.

RESULTS

Increasing volumes of aspirated amniotic fluid resulted in worsening of fetal movement restrictions (e.g., 0.4 mL aspirated and control group at E10: frequency difference -7.765 [95% CI: -9.125, -6.404]; amplitude difference -0.343 [95% CI: -0.588, -0.097]). The 0.4 mL aspirated group had significantly smaller hip measurements compared to controls, with reduced acetabular length (-0.418 [95% CI: -0.575, -0.261]) and width (-0.304 [95% CI: -0.491, -0.117]) at day E14.5. Histological analysis revealed a smaller femoral head (1.084 ± 0.264 cm) and shallower acetabulum (0.380 ± 0.106 cm) in the 0.4 mL group. Micro-CT showed cartilage matrix degeneration (13.6% [95% CI: 0.6%, 26.7%], P = 0.043 on E14.5). Saline reinfusion resulted in significant improvements in the femoral head to greater trochanter (0.578 [95% CI: 0.323, 0.833], P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Oligohydramnios can cause DDH by restricting fetal movement and disrupting hip morphogenesis in a time-dependent manner. Timely reversal of oligohydramnios during the fetal period may prevent DDH.

Assessment of fetal resistance to hypoxia using the Stange test as an adjunct to Apgar scale assessment of neonatal health status

It has been established that the cause of biological death of fetuses in stillbirths and the cause of neonatal encephalopathies in live births is hypoxic brain cell damage in fetuses. Timely cesarean section remains the most effective way to preserve fetal life and health in the face of lethal intrauterine hypoxia. However, there is no universally recognized methodology for assessing fetal adaptation reserves to hypoxia and no methodology for selecting the type of delivery in order to perform a timely cesarean section if necessary. The Apgar score, which has been used since 1952, allows assessment of neonatal health at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, but this assessment is made without taking into account the health of the fetus before delivery. In recent years, it has been established that the outcome of fetal hypoxia is determined not only by its duration, but also by the amount of adaptive reserves available in the fetus to hypoxia. It was found that the duration of fetal immobility during apnea of a pregnant woman is an indicator of fetal resistance to hypoxia. In 2011, a method of assessing fetal resistance to intrauterine hypoxia based on the Stange test was developed in Russia. It has been found that the maximum duration of fetal immobility during maternal apnea is normally more than 30 seconds, while in the presence of fetal signs of fetoplacental insufficiency it does not reach 30 seconds, and in the presence of signs of severe fetoplacental insufficiency it does not reach 10 seconds. Therefore, it was proposed to consider good fetal resistance to hypoxia as an indication for vaginal delivery, and poor fetal resistance to hypoxia as an indication for cesarean section. A technique for assessing fetal resistance to hypoxia is described that has been developed for independent use by every pregnant woman. It is shown that it is sufficient for her to have a stopwatch and to be able to record the maximum period of fetal immobility during voluntary apnea. It is hoped that a measure of fetal resistance to hypoxia could be a meaningful complement to the Apgar score of neonatal health. It is envisioned that the use of a modified Stange test could help physicians prevent stillbirths and neonatal encephalopathies.

The Fidget Factor and the obesity paradox. How small movements have big impact

The hypothesis is that the Fidget Factor is the innate neurological pulse that propels humans and other species to move to support their health. Fidgets, previously thought to be spontaneous, are neurologically regulated and highly ordered (non-random). Modern societies being chair-based overwhelm Fidget Factor pulses and consequently inflict chair-based living for transportation, labor, and leisure. Despite impulses firing through the nervous system, people sit because environmental design overwhelms the biology. Urbanization and chair-based societies were designed after the industrial revolution to promote productivity; however, the consequence has been opposite. Crushing the natural urge to move—the Fidget Factor—is a public health calamity. Excess sitting is associated with a myriad of detrimental health consequences and impairs productivity. Fidgeting may reduce all-cause mortality associated with excessive sitting. The Fidget Factor offers hope; data demonstrate that workplaces and schools can be designed to promote activity and free people's Fidget Factors. Evidence shows that people are happier, healthier, wealthier, and more successful if their Fidget Factors are freed.