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Fetal yawning activity in normal and high-risk fetuses: a preliminary observation
B Petrikovsky1, G Kaplan, N Holsten
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North Shore University Hospital-NYU School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York, USA.
Objective:
To study yawning activity in healthy fetuses and in fetuses at high risk.
Methods:
Yawning activity was studied in 16 healthy and 22 high-risk fetuses. Studies were performed in the postprandial state at 09.00 and 12.00 in a quiet room with the woman in the lateral recumbent position. All ultrasound examinations were performed using a 3.5-MHz Acuson 128 PX curvilinear probe. Fetal lips, mouth, tongue, pharynx, larynx, trachea and esophagus were surveyed in serial coronal and sagittal planes. All fetal mouthing movements were analyzed by a review of the videotape in slow motion.
Results:
In both normal and high-risk fetuses, yawning was represented by isolated mouthing movements and consisted of slow opening of the mouth with simultaneous downward movements of the tongue. This phase occupied 50-75% of the yawning cycle. After reaching its maximum opening, the mouth remained wide open for 2-8 s and returned to its resting position within seconds. Growth-restricted fetuses demonstrated yawning patterns consisting of isolated yawns similar to those seen in healthy fetuses. Unusual bursts of fetal yawning activity were recorded in anemic fetuses.
Conclusion:
Yawning activity in anemic fetuses may represent a compensatory process to increase venous return to the heart.