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Fetal Movements in Hypertensive Pregnancies
Author(s) -
Simon A.,
Ohel G.,
MorYosef Sh.,
Brjejinski A.,
Sadovsky E.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1985.tb00639.x
Subject(s) - fetus , fetal distress , medicine , pregnancy , fetal movement , incidence (geometry) , gestational hypertension , obstetrics , gestation , gestational age , biology , genetics , physics , optics
Summary: The maternally perceived fetal movements counts of 273 hypertensive patients were compared to normal controls and their degree of fetal activity was related to perinatal outcome. Pregnancy induced hypertension was associated with fetal activity which was significantly lower than controls at the beginning of the third trimester and significantly higher at term. In cases of chronic hypertension fetal activity was similar to controls at all gestational ages. Of all the hypertensive patients, 8 had cessation or marked reduction of fetal movements to less than 4 in 12 hours, and all had poor fetal outcome. The remaining 265 hypertensive patients had a 92% incidence of good fetal outcome. Markedly reduced fetal movements in hypertensive patients are highly suggestive of fetal distress and following verification by additional tests the appropriate clinical measures should be undertaken.