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Vibroacoustic stimulation evokes human fetal micturition
E Z Zimmer1, C R Chao, G P Guy
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York.
Objective:
To examine the effect of vibroacoustic stimulation on fetal voiding as a measure of stress.
Methods:
Fetal bladder volumes were examined serially by ultrasound 5 and 1 minutes before and 1 and 5 minutes after vibroacoustic stimulation (21 cases) or sham stimulation (20 cases).
Results:
In the stimulated group, the mean (+/- SD) bladder volume decreased from 21.7 +/- 11.3 mL 1 minute before stimulation to 12.8 +/- 9.4 mL 1 minute after vibroacoustic stimulation, a statistically significant difference (P < .001). There was no significant decrease in bladder volume in the sham-stimulated fetuses. The correlations between bladder volume 1 minute before and 1 and 5 minutes after vibroacoustic stimulation were statistically significant (P < .01 and P < .001, respectively).
Conclusion:
Vibroacoustic stimulation induces fetal voiding, which may reflect a response to stress.