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Physiology of isolated long-term variability of the fetal heart rate
D M Sherer1, M L D'Amico, C Arnold
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY 14642-8668.
Abstract:
Ten singleton third trimester fetuses exhibiting isolated long-term variability of the fetal heart rate were studied with a single Doppler transducer actocardiograph in conjunction with real-time ultrasonography. Each of these studies revealed repetitive clustered bursts of fetal breathing movements during the acceleratory phases and apneic episodes during the deceleratory phases of this fetal heart rate pattern, respectively, in the absence of other fetal movements. This observation may explain the physiology of isolated long-term variability of the fetal heart rate.