Significance of fetal heart rate by vaginal ultrasound in the early pregnancy.
- Author:
Dong Hyun CHA
;
Yoon Ho LEE
;
Jong Seok KIM
;
Seung Hyun SUH
;
Byung Joo PARK
;
Jong Wha KIM
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Transvaginal ultrasound;
Fetal heart rate;
Early pregnancy;
Fetal outcome
- MeSH:
Crown-Rump Length;
Embryonic Structures;
Female;
Fetal Heart*;
Fetus;
Gestational Age;
Gestational Sac;
Heart Rate;
Heart Rate, Fetal*;
Humans;
Pregnancy;
Pregnancy Trimester, First;
Pregnancy*;
Prognosis;
Prospective Studies;
Ultrasonography*
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2000;43(7):1176-1180
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Fetal heart rate in embryos(6-8 gestational weeks) have been significantly related to fetal outcome, but have rarely been studied. We attempted to identify fetal heart rate during 6-8 gestational weeks. Our purpose was to determine the lower limit of the heart rate associated with a favorable outcome and to evaluate the prognosis for those embryos with slow heart rates in early period. METHODS: We prospectively studied 798 singleton pregnancies between Jul. 1997-Dec. 1999 visiting our hospital. Gestational age was calculated from the beginning of the last menstrual period in the case of regular cycle and was confirmed by the crown-rump length. Other cases were measured by crown-rump length or mean gestational sac diameter. Color doppler sonography was used to calculate the fetal heart rate in beats per minute as the mean of 3 waves. RESULTS: Mean fetal heart rate (+/-SD) were 114.08+/-15.40 bpm for group 1, 126.49+/-18.78 for group 2, 139.83+/-19.92 for group 3, and 149.58+/-23.34 for group 4(p<0.001). Prognosis in the first trimester improved as heart rate increased to 100 bpm in group 1 and 120 bpm in group 2. In group 3 and 4, most of fetus with heart rates below 110 bpm died. CONCLUSIONS: The fetal heart rate during 6-8 gestational weeks is associated with fetal outcome at the end of the first trimester and we can identify the fetuses that are in risk.
