Cerebral hemodynamics and fetal behavioral states

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic patterns of the proximal (M1) and distal (M2) portions of the middle cerebral artery, during different fetal behavioral states.

Design: The study included 20 normal singleton pregnancies at between 36 and 40 weeks of gestation. After identification of the fetal behavioral state (FBS), flow velocity evaluation was performed on the proximal and distal segments of the middle cerebral artery during 'quiescence' (FBS-1F) and 'activity' (FBS-2F).

Results: A statistically significant decrease of pulsatility index, reflecting a decrease of impedance to flow values, was identified in both segments of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) during 'activity', with a more marked decrease in the MCA-M2 than in MCA-M1 (M1, P = 0.0028; M2, P = 0.00000085). The mean fetal heart rate during 'quiescence' was significantly lower than during 'activity' (P = 0.0047). However, there was no significant correlation between the pulsatility index of both segments of the middle cerebral artery and the fetal heart rate during different fetal behavioral states.

Conclusions: The results of this study provide evidence of the influence of different fetal behavioral states on fetal cerebral hemodynamic patterns. We believe it is better to sample the proximal segment in clinical practice because it is less influenced by fetal behavioral state. This information should be considered when evaluating fetal cerebral hemodynamics.