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Bester M, Nichting TJ, Joshi R, Aissati L, Oei GS, Mischi M, van Laar JOEH, Vullings R. Changes in Maternal Heart Rate Variability and Photoplethysmography Morphology after Corticosteroid Administration: A Prospective, Observational Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2442. [PMID: 38673715 PMCID: PMC11051424 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Owing to the association between dysfunctional maternal autonomic regulation and pregnancy complications, assessing non-invasive features reflecting autonomic activity-e.g., heart rate variability (HRV) and the morphology of the photoplethysmography (PPG) pulse wave-may aid in tracking maternal health. However, women with early pregnancy complications typically receive medication, such as corticosteroids, and the effect of corticosteroids on maternal HRV and PPG pulse wave morphology is not well-researched. Methods: We performed a prospective, observational study assessing the effect of betamethasone (a commonly used corticosteroid) on non-invasively assessed features of autonomic regulation. Sixty-one women with an indication for betamethasone were enrolled and wore a wrist-worn PPG device for at least four days, from which five-minute measurements were selected for analysis. A baseline measurement was selected either before betamethasone administration or sufficiently thereafter (i.e., three days after the last injection). Furthermore, measurements were selected 24, 48, and 72 h after betamethasone administration. HRV features in the time domain and frequency domain and describing heart rate (HR) complexity were calculated, along with PPG morphology features. These features were compared between the different days. Results: Maternal HR was significantly higher and HRV features linked to parasympathetic activity were significantly lower 24 h after betamethasone administration. Features linked to sympathetic activity remained stable. Furthermore, based on the PPG morphology features, betamethasone appears to have a vasoconstrictive effect. Conclusions: Our results suggest that administering betamethasone affects maternal autonomic regulation and cardiovasculature. Researchers assessing maternal HRV in complicated pregnancies should schedule measurements before or sufficiently after corticosteroid administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maretha Bester
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Patient Care and Monitoring, Philips Research, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas J. Nichting
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Centrum, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rohan Joshi
- Patient Care and Monitoring, Philips Research, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Lamyae Aissati
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Science, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Guid S. Oei
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Centrum, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Massimo Mischi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Judith O. E. H. van Laar
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Centrum, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rik Vullings
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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2
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Weiss S, Cooper B, Leung C. Exposure to prenatal stressors and infant autonomic nervous system regulation of stress. Stress 2024; 27:2327328. [PMID: 38497496 PMCID: PMC11144651 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2327328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between fetal exposure to maternal prenatal stressors and infant parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) nervous function at 3 timepoints across the first year of life. BACKGROUND Autonomic nervous system impairments may mediate associations between gestational exposure to stressors and later infant health problems. Heart rate variability (HRV) provides a sensitive index of PNS and SNS function. However, no studies have assessed longitudinal associations between prenatal stressors and infant HRV measures of both PNS and SNS over the first year of life. METHODS During the third trimester of pregnancy, 233 women completed measures of life stressors and depression. At 1, 6 and 12 months of age, a stressor protocol was administered while infant electrocardiographic (ECG) data were collected from a baseline through a post-stressor period. HRV measures of PNS and SNS activity (HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) were generated from ECG data. We used multilevel regression to examine the aims, adjusting for maternal depression and neonatal morbidity. RESULTS There were no associations between prenatal stressors and any baseline or reactivity HRV metric over the infant's first year of life. However, exposure to more stressors was associated with lower post-stressor LF HRV at both 6 (β = -.44, p = .001) and 12 (β = -.37, p = .005) months of age. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest potential alterations in development of the vagally mediated baroreflex function as a result of exposure to prenatal stressors, with implications for the infants' ability to generate a resilient recovery in response to stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Weiss
- Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bruce Cooper
- Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cherry Leung
- Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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3
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Changes in Maternal Heart Rate and Autonomic Regulation following the Antenatal Administration of Corticosteroids: A Secondary Analysis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12020588. [PMID: 36675517 PMCID: PMC9866172 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
While the effect of antenatally administered corticosteroids on fetal heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) is well established, little information is available on how these drugs affect maternal physiology. In this secondary analysis of a prospective, observational cohort study, we quantify how corticosteroids affect maternal HR and HRV, which serve as a proxy measure for autonomic regulation. Abdominal ECG measurements were recorded before and in the five days following the administration of betamethasone—a corticosteroid commonly used for fetal maturation—in 46 women with singleton pregnancies. Maternal HR and HRV were determined from these recordings and compared between these days. HRV was assessed with time- and frequency-domain features, as well as non-linear and complexity features. In the 24 h after betamethasone administration, maternal HR was significantly increased (p < 0.01) by approximately 10 beats per minute, while HRV features linked to parasympathetic activity and HR complexity were significantly decreased (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Within four days after the initial administration of betamethasone, HR decreases and HRV features increase again, indicating a diminishing effect of betamethasone a few days after administration. We conclude that betamethasone administration results in changes in maternal HR and HRV, despite the heterogeneity of the studied population. Therefore, its recent administration should be considered when evaluating these cardiovascular metrics.
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Zizzo AR, Hansen J, Peteren OB, Mølgaard H, Uldbjerg N, Kirkegaard I. Growth-restricted human fetuses have preserved respiratory sinus arrhythmia but reduced heart rate variability estimates of vagal activity during quiescence. PHYSICS REPORTS-REVIEW SECTION OF PHYSICS LETTERS 2022; 10:e15458. [PMID: 36411966 PMCID: PMC9812234 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to assess the association between fetal growth restriction (FGR) and fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) in relation to fetal movements. A prospective observational cohort study was performed. Non-invasive fetal electrocardiography (NI-FECG) allowed beat-to-beat assessments with <5% corrections of RR intervals. FHRV analyses included: Root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD), high frequency power (HF power), and low frequency power (LF power). Fetal movements were categorized by continuous ultrasound scanning. We enrolled 36 singleton pregnant women expecting a small fetus (< the 2.3 percentile of mean weight for gestational age) diagnosed by ultrasound, of whom 25 presented with a birthweight < the 2.3 percentile. Among these, 11 were excluded due to low quality NI-FECG recordings, leaving 14 women with 28 recordings eligible for inclusion in the analyses. The control group consisted of 22 healthy fetuses with birthweights between the 10th and the 90th percentile (average for gestational age [AGA]). In FGR fetuses the HRV response to respiratory activity was comparable to that of AGA fetuses. RMSSD (Ratio 1.54 [95% CI: 1.33; 1.79]) and HF power (Ratio 2.88 [95% CI: 2.12; 3.91]) increased, whereas LF/HF power (Ratio: 0.44 [95% CI: 0.31;0.63]) decreased. However, during fetal quiescence, FGR fetuses differed significantly from AGA fetuses. Compared to AGA fetuses, FGR fetuses displayed lower RMSSD (Ratio 0.77 (95% CI: 0.58; 1.02)) and HF power (Ratio 0.56 (95% CI:0.32; 0.98)). This reduction was associated with the severity of the FGR. In conclusion, FGR fetuses displayed a respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) comparable to AGA fetuses; however, more important, parameters representing cardiac vagal activity were impaired in FGR fetuses during quiescence. RSA may constitute an intrinsic function of the cardiovascular system, which is unaffected by fetal compromise. However, the basic cardiac outflow assessed during fetal quiescence indicates a suppressed cardiac vagal activity in the FGR fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rahbek Zizzo
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyAarhus University HospitalAarhus NDenmark,Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - John Hansen
- Department of Health Science and TechnologyAalborg UniversityAalborgDenmark
| | - Olav Bjørn Peteren
- Department of ObstetricsCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Henning Mølgaard
- Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark,Department of CardiologyAarhus University HospitalAarhus NDenmark
| | - Niels Uldbjerg
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyAarhus University HospitalAarhus NDenmark,Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Ida Kirkegaard
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyAarhus University HospitalAarhus NDenmark
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DiPietro JA, Watson H, Raghunathan RS. Measuring fetal heart rate and variability: Fetal cardiotocography versus electrocardiography. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22230. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.22230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Janet A. DiPietro
- Department of Population Family and Reproductive Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Heather Watson
- Department of Nursing Johns Hopkins Health System Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Radhika S. Raghunathan
- Department of Population Family and Reproductive Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Maryland USA
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Tournier A, Beacom M, Westgate JA, Bennet L, Garabedian C, Ugwumadu A, Gunn AJ, Lear CA. Physiological control of fetal heart rate variability during labour: Implications and controversies. J Physiol 2021; 600:431-450. [PMID: 34951476 DOI: 10.1113/jp282276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The interpretation of fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns is the only available method to continuously monitor fetal wellbeing during labour. One of the most important yet contentious aspects of the FHR pattern is changes in FHR variability (FHRV). Some clinical studies suggest that loss of FHRV during labour is a sign of fetal compromise so this is reflected in practice guidelines. Surprisingly, there is little systematic evidence to support this observation. In this review we methodically dissect the potential pathways controlling FHRV during labour-like hypoxaemia. Before labour, FHRV is controlled by the combined activity of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, in part regulated by a complex interplay between fetal sleep state and behaviour. By contrast, preclinical studies using multiple autonomic blockades have now shown that sympathetic neural control of FHRV was potently suppressed between periods of labour-like hypoxaemia, and thus, that the parasympathetic system is the sole neural regulator of FHRV once FHR decelerations are present during labour. We further discuss the pattern of changes in FHRV during progressive fetal compromise and highlight potential biochemical, behavioural and clinical factors that may regulate parasympathetic-mediated FHRV during labour. Further studies are needed to investigate the regulators of parasympathetic activity to better understand the dynamic changes in FHRV and their true utility during labour. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexane Tournier
- Department of Obstetrics, Universite de Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, Lille, F 59000, France
| | - Michael Beacom
- The Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jenny A Westgate
- The Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura Bennet
- The Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charles Garabedian
- Department of Obstetrics, Universite de Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS, Lille, F 59000, France
| | - Austin Ugwumadu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's Hospital, St George's University of London, London, SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Alistair J Gunn
- The Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Christopher A Lear
- The Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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7
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Lempersz C, Noben L, Clur SAB, van den Heuvel E, Zhan Z, Haak M, Oei SG, Vullings R, van Laar JOEH. The electrical heart axis of the fetus between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation: A cohort study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256115. [PMID: 34914710 PMCID: PMC8675734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction A fetal anomaly scan in mid-pregnancy is performed, to check for the presence of congenital anomalies, including congenital heart disease (CHD). Unfortunately, 40% of CHD is still missed. The combined use of ultrasound and electrocardiography might boost detection rates. The electrical heart axis is one of the characteristics which can be deduced from an electrocardiogram (ECG). The aim of this study was to determine reference values for the electrical heart axis in healthy fetuses around 20 weeks of gestation. Material and methods Non-invasive fetal electrocardiography was performed subsequent to the fetal anomaly scan in pregnant women carrying a healthy singleton fetus between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation. Eight adhesive electrodes were applied on the maternal abdomen including one ground and one reference electrode, yielding six channels of bipolar electrophysiological measurements. After removal of interferences, a fetal vectorcardiogram was calculated and then corrected for fetal orientation. The orientation of the electrical heart axis was determined from this normalized fetal vectorcardiogram. Descriptive statistics were used on normalized cartesian coordinates to determine the average electrical heart axis in the frontal plane. Furthermore, 90% prediction intervals (PI) for abnormality were calculated. Results Of the 328 fetal ECGs performed, 281 were included in the analysis. The average electrical heart axis in the frontal plane was determined at 122.7° (90% PI: -25.6°; 270.9°). Discussion The average electrical heart axis of healthy fetuses around mid-gestation is oriented to the right, which is, due to the unique fetal circulation, in line with muscle distribution in the fetal heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlijn Lempersz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.,Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Lore Noben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.,Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sally-Ann B Clur
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin van den Heuvel
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Zhouzhao Zhan
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Monique Haak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S Guid Oei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.,Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rik Vullings
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Judith O E H van Laar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.,Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Cerritelli F, Frasch MG, Antonelli MC, Viglione C, Vecchi S, Chiera M, Manzotti A. A Review on the Vagus Nerve and Autonomic Nervous System During Fetal Development: Searching for Critical Windows. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:721605. [PMID: 34616274 PMCID: PMC8488382 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.721605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is one of the main biological systems that regulates the body's physiology. Autonomic nervous system regulatory capacity begins before birth as the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity contributes significantly to the fetus' development. In particular, several studies have shown how vagus nerve is involved in many vital processes during fetal, perinatal, and postnatal life: from the regulation of inflammation through the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway, which may affect the functioning of each organ, to the production of hormones involved in bioenergetic metabolism. In addition, the vagus nerve has been recognized as the primary afferent pathway capable of transmitting information to the brain from every organ of the body. Therefore, this hypothesis paper aims to review the development of ANS during fetal and perinatal life, focusing particularly on the vagus nerve, to identify possible "critical windows" that could impact its maturation. These "critical windows" could help clinicians know when to monitor fetuses to effectively assess the developmental status of both ANS and specifically the vagus nerve. In addition, this paper will focus on which factors-i.e., fetal characteristics and behaviors, maternal lifestyle and pathologies, placental health and dysfunction, labor, incubator conditions, and drug exposure-may have an impact on the development of the vagus during the above-mentioned "critical window" and how. This analysis could help clinicians and stakeholders define precise guidelines for improving the management of fetuses and newborns, particularly to reduce the potential adverse environmental impacts on ANS development that may lead to persistent long-term consequences. Since the development of ANS and the vagus influence have been shown to be reflected in cardiac variability, this paper will rely in particular on studies using fetal heart rate variability (fHRV) to monitor the continued growth and health of both animal and human fetuses. In fact, fHRV is a non-invasive marker whose changes have been associated with ANS development, vagal modulation, systemic and neurological inflammatory reactions, and even fetal distress during labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cerritelli
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Martin G. Frasch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Marta C. Antonelli
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia “Prof. E. De Robertis”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chiara Viglione
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Stefano Vecchi
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Marco Chiera
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Andrea Manzotti
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, “V. Buzzi” Children's Hospital, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Research Department, Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
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9
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Bester M, Moors S, Joshi R, Nichting TJ, van der Hout-van der Jagt MB, Oei SG, Mischi M, Vullings R, van Laar JOEH. Changes in Maternal Heart Rate Variability in Response to the Administration of Routine Obstetric Medication in Hospitalized Patients: Study Protocol for a Cohort Study (MAMA-Heart Study). Clin Pract 2021; 11:13-25. [PMID: 33599215 PMCID: PMC7838947 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract11010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a period of continuous change in the maternal cardiovascular system, partly mediated by the autonomic nervous system. Insufficient autonomic adaptation to increasing gestation is associated with pregnancy complications, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth (both major causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality). Consequently, maternal heart rate variability (mHRV), which is a proxy measure for autonomic activity, is increasingly assessed in these cohorts to investigate the pathophysiology of their complications. A better pathophysiological understanding could facilitate the early detection of these complications, which remains challenging. However, such studies (typically performed in pregnancies leading to hospitalization) have generated conflicting findings. A probable reason for these conflicting findings is that these study cohorts were likely administered routine obstetric medications during the study period of which the effects on mHRV are largely unknown. Subsequently, we design a longitudinal, observational study to quantifying the effect of these medications-particularly corticosteroids, which are known to affect fetal HRV-on mHRV to improve the interpretation of past and future studies. We will enroll 61 women admitted to a tertiary obstetric unit with an indication to receive corticosteroids antenatally. Participants' mHRV will be continuously acquired throughout their hospitalization with wrist-worn photoplethysmography to facilitate a within-patient comparison of the effect of corticosteroids on mHRV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maretha Bester
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (S.M.); (T.J.N.); (M.B.v.d.H.-v.d.J.); (S.G.O.); (M.M.); (R.V.); (J.O.E.H.v.L.)
- Department of Family Care Solutions, Philips Research, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Suzanne Moors
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (S.M.); (T.J.N.); (M.B.v.d.H.-v.d.J.); (S.G.O.); (M.M.); (R.V.); (J.O.E.H.v.L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima MC, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rohan Joshi
- Department of Family Care Solutions, Philips Research, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Thomas J. Nichting
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (S.M.); (T.J.N.); (M.B.v.d.H.-v.d.J.); (S.G.O.); (M.M.); (R.V.); (J.O.E.H.v.L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima MC, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - M. Beatrijs van der Hout-van der Jagt
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (S.M.); (T.J.N.); (M.B.v.d.H.-v.d.J.); (S.G.O.); (M.M.); (R.V.); (J.O.E.H.v.L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima MC, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - S. Guid Oei
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (S.M.); (T.J.N.); (M.B.v.d.H.-v.d.J.); (S.G.O.); (M.M.); (R.V.); (J.O.E.H.v.L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima MC, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Massimo Mischi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (S.M.); (T.J.N.); (M.B.v.d.H.-v.d.J.); (S.G.O.); (M.M.); (R.V.); (J.O.E.H.v.L.)
| | - Rik Vullings
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (S.M.); (T.J.N.); (M.B.v.d.H.-v.d.J.); (S.G.O.); (M.M.); (R.V.); (J.O.E.H.v.L.)
| | - Judith O. E. H. van Laar
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AP Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (S.M.); (T.J.N.); (M.B.v.d.H.-v.d.J.); (S.G.O.); (M.M.); (R.V.); (J.O.E.H.v.L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima MC, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
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10
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Tamber KK, Hayes DJL, Carey SJ, Wijekoon JHB, Heazell AEP. A systematic scoping review to identify the design and assess the performance of devices for antenatal continuous fetal monitoring. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242983. [PMID: 33259507 PMCID: PMC7707469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antepartum fetal monitoring aims to assess fetal development and wellbeing throughout pregnancy. Current methods utilised in clinical practice are intermittent and only provide a 'snapshot' of fetal wellbeing, thus key signs of fetal demise could be missed. Continuous fetal monitoring (CFM) offers the potential to alleviate these issues by providing an objective and longitudinal overview of fetal status. Various CFM devices exist within literature; this review planned to provide a systematic overview of these devices, and specifically aimed to map the devices' design, performance and factors which affect this, whilst determining any gaps in development. METHODS A systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, EMCARE, BNI, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Pubmed databases. Following the deletion of duplicates, the articles' titles and abstracts were screened and suitable papers underwent a full-text assessment prior to inclusion in the review by two independent assessors. RESULTS The literature searches generated 4,885 hits from which 43 studies were included in the review. Twenty-four different devices were identified utilising four suitable CFM technologies: fetal electrocardiography, fetal phonocardiography, accelerometry and fetal vectorcardiography. The devices adopted various designs and signal processing methods. There was no common means of device performance assessment between different devices, which limited comparison. The device performance of fetal electrocardiography was reduced between 28 to 36 weeks' gestation and during high levels of maternal movement, and increased during night-time rest. Other factors, including maternal body mass index, fetal position, recording location, uterine activity, amniotic fluid index, number of fetuses and smoking status, as well as factors which affected alternative technologies had equivocal effects and require further investigation. CONCLUSIONS A variety of CFM devices have been developed, however no specific approach or design appears to be advantageous due to high levels of inter-device and intra-device variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajal K. Tamber
- Faculty of Biology, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Dexter J. L. Hayes
- Faculty of Biology, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J. Carey
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jayawan H. B. Wijekoon
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander E. P. Heazell
- Faculty of Biology, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Moors S, Staaks KJJ, Westerhuis MEMH, Dekker LRC, Verdurmen KMJ, Oei SG, van Laar JOEH. Heart rate variability in hypertensive pregnancy disorders: A systematic review. Pregnancy Hypertens 2020; 20:56-68. [PMID: 32179490 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) are associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Cardiac autonomic functions can be assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. OBJECTIVE To study whether HRV detects differences in the function of the autonomic nervous system between pregnant women with HPD compared to normotensive pregnant women and between women with a history of a pregnancy complicated by HPD compared to women with a history of an uncomplicated pregnancy. METHODS A systematic search was performed in Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL to identify studies comparing HRV between pregnant women with HPD or women with a history of HPD to women with (a history of) normotensive pregnancies. RESULTS The search identified 523 articles of which 24 were included in this review, including 850 women with (a history of) HPD and 1205 normotensive controls. The included studies showed a large heterogenicity. A decrease in overall HRV was found in preeclampsia (PE), compared to normotensive pregnant controls. A trend is seen towards increased low frequency/high frequency-ratio in women with PE compared to normotensive pregnant controls. CONCLUSION Our systematic review supports the hypothesis a sympathetic overdrive is found in HPD which is associated with a parasympathetic withdrawal. However, the included studies in our review showed a large diversity in the methods applied and their results.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Moors
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands; Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - K J J Staaks
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - M E M H Westerhuis
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - L R C Dekker
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - K M J Verdurmen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - S G Oei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands; Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - J O E H van Laar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands; Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Wolde HF, Gonete KA, Akalu TY, Baraki AG, Lakew AM. Factors affecting neonatal mortality in the general population: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS)-multilevel analysis. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:610. [PMID: 31547855 PMCID: PMC6757386 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4668-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study was aimed to identify factors affecting neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. Results According to the multilevel multivariable logistic regression analysis, the odds of neonatal mortality was significantly associated with husbands with no education (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.10, 4.83), female birth (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.39, 0.83), twin birth (AOR = 13.62, 95% CI 7.14, 25.99), pre-term birth (AOR = 15.07, 95% CI 7.80, 29.12) and mothers with no antenatal care (ANC) visit during pregnancy (AOR = 1.90 95% CI 1.11, 3.25).
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Affiliation(s)
- Haileab Fekadu Wolde
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Kedir Abdela Gonete
- Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Temesgen Yihunie Akalu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Adhanom Gebreegziabher Baraki
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Ayenew Molla Lakew
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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