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Human fetal mouthing movements: a potential biophysical variable for distinguishing state 1F from abnormal fetal
In late pregnancy, when fetal behavioural states are well developed, human fetuses spend about one third of their time in a quiescent state, 1F. In healthy fetuses biophysical tests often appear suboptimal if recording happens to occur in this state, and as a result prolonged recording may be necessary. We have examined fetal mouthing movements during state 1F in 65 fetuses beyond 36 weeks, with and without risk factors, but in whom there was no immediate evidence of compromise. We found that periodic rhythmical mouthing movements were a characteristic feature of state 1F, occurring in 93.0% of episodes, when the fetal mouth was visible. This compares favourably with variables of the biophysical profile, which were less likely to be satisfactory in state 1F - fetal breathing 53.8%, fetal movements 46.2%, fetal heart rate 69.2%, and overall biophysical score of 8 or 10, 60.0%. We identified objective evidence of fetal compromise (of various aetiologies) in four other fetuses of the same gestational age, and mouthing movements were absent in all four.
In late pregnancy, when fetal behavioural states are well developed, human fetuses spend about one third of their time in a quiescent state, 1F. In healthy fetuses biophysical tests often appear suboptimal if recording happens to occur in this state, and as a result prolonged recording may be necessary. We have examined fetal mouthing movements during state 1F in 65 fetuses beyond 36 weeks, with and without risk factors, but in whom there was no immediate evidence of compromise. We found that periodic rhythmical mouthing movements were a characteristic feature of state 1F, occurring in 93.0% of episodes, when the fetal mouth was visible. This compares favourably with variables of the biophysical profile, which were less likely to be satisfactory in state 1F - fetal breathing 53.8%, fetal movements 46.2%, fetal heart rate 69.2%, and overall biophysical score of 8 or 10, 60.0%. We identified objective evidence of fetal compromise (of various aetiologies) in four other fetuses of the same gestational age, and mouthing movements were absent in all four.