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. 2005 Mar 31;3(1):5.
doi: 10.1186/1740-3391-3-5.

Development of daily rhythmicity in heart rate and locomotor activity in the human fetus

Paliko I Kintraia  1 , Medea G Zarnadze, Nicolas P Kintraia, Ia G Kashakashvili
Affiliations

Development of daily rhythmicity in heart rate and locomotor activity in the human fetus

Paliko I Kintraia et al. J Circadian Rhythms. .

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Very little is known about the perinatal genesis of circadian rhythmicity in the human fetus. Some researchers have found evidence of rhythmicity early on in fetal development, whereas others have observed a slow development of rhythmicity during several years after birth. METHOD: Rhythms of fetal heartbeat and locomotor activity were studied in women with physiological course of pregnancy at 16 to 40 gestational weeks. Observations were conducted continuously for 24 h using the method of external electrocardiography, which provided simultaneous detection of the changes in maternal and fetal heartbeat as well as assessment of daily locomotor activity of the fetus. During the night-time, electroencephalogram, myogram, oculogram and respiration of the mother were registered in parallel with fetal external electrocardiography. RESULTS: Although we found no significant daily rhythmicity in heart rate per se in the human fetus, we developed a new method for the assessment of 24-h fetal cardiotachogram that allowed us to identify daily rhythmicity in the short-term pattern of heart beating. We found that daily rhythmicity of fetal electrocardiogram resembles that of the mother; however, the phase of the rhythm is opposite to that of the mother. "Active" (from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m.) and "quiet" (from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.) periods of activity were identified. CONCLUSION: A healthy fetus at gestational age of 16 to 20 weeks reveals pronounced rhythms of activity and locomotion. Absence of distinct rhythmicity within the term of 20 to 24 weeks points to developmental retardation. The "Z"-type fetal reaction, recorded during the "quiet" hours, does not indicate unsatisfactory state, but rather is suggestive of definite reduction of functional levels of the fetal physiological systems necessary for vital activity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hourly layout for 24-hour period frequencies of maternal and fetal heart rate rhythms (36 – 40 weeks gestation)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Hourly layout for 24-hour period frequencies of maternal and fetal heart rate rhythms (36 – 40 weeks gestation)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Types of cardiotachograms
Figure 4
Figure 4
ECG of the fetus in "quiet" hours (4 a.m. to 9 a.m.) 36–40 weeks gestation
Figure 5
Figure 5
ECG of the fetus in "quiet" hours (2 p.m. to 7 p.m.) 36 – 40 weeks gestation
Figure 6
Figure 6
ECG activity of the fetus in "active" hours (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) 36 – 40 weeks gestation.
Figure 7
Figure 7
ECG activity of the fetus in "active" hours (from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m.) 36–40 weeks gestation
Figure 8
Figure 8
Fetal cardiotachogram for "active" period
Figure 9
Figure 9
Fetal cardiotachogram for "quiet" period
Figure 10
Figure 10
Fetal locomotor activity in "quiet" and "active" hours (36 – 40 weeks gestation)
Figure 11
Figure 11
Correlation of quiet and active periods for mother
Figure 12
Figure 12
Response of the fetus to functional load in "active" hours ("acceleration" type)
Figure 13
Figure 13
Response of the fetus to functional load in "quiet" hours ("zero" type)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Zarnadze MG, Devdariani MG. Evaluation of the functional state of the fetus during pregnancy by method of abdominal electrocardiography. Tracking the diminution of perinatal pathology Collected articles Tbilisi. 1979. pp. 162–167.
    1. Zarnadze MG, Devdariani MG. Adaptive re-adjustment of fetal cardiac biorhythms during physiologic pregnancy. Abstracts of the 14th Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Problems of Perinatology Diagnosis and treatment of female infertility Kishinev. 1983. p. 172.
    1. Zarnadze MG. Peculiarities of fetal response to functional load associated with its Biological Clock. Collected articles of the RI PMOG, MHC GSSR. 1989. pp. 15–20.
    1. Zarnadze MG. 24-hour periodicity of fetal heartbeat and locomotor activity as the indicator of fetal functional state during pregnancy. Abstract of thesis for candidate's degree in medical science Kiev. 1985.
    1. Zarnadze MG. Fetal reactivity to functional load. Materials of the 3rd Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologist of Georgia Tbilisi. 1990. p. 18.

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