Fetal heart rate variability at or after 28 weeks gestation was significantly associated with mental and psychomotor development at 2 years and language ability at 2.5 years.
Cohort (n=137)
Does fetal heart rate variability predict developmental outcomes in early childhood?
Fetal heart rate variability during gestation is associated with cognitive and language development in early childhood, suggesting early origins of autonomic control differences.
Stability in cardiac indicators before birth and their utility in predicting variation in postnatal development were examined. Fetal heart rate and variability were measured longitudinally from 20 through 38 weeks gestation (n = 137) and again at age 2 (n = 79). Significant within-individual stability during the prenatal period and into childhood was demonstrated. Fetal heart rate variability at or after 28 weeks gestation and steeper developmental trajectories were significantly associated with mental and psychomotor development at 2 years (n = 82) and language ability at 2.5 years (n = 61). These data suggest that the foundations of individual differences in autonomic control originate during gestation and the developmental momentum of the fetal period continues after birth.
DiPietro et al. (Thu,) conducted a cohort in Fetal and early childhood development (n=137). Fetal heart rate and variability was evaluated on Mental and psychomotor development at 2 years and language ability at 2.5 years. Fetal heart rate variability at or after 28 weeks gestation was significantly associated with mental and psychomotor development at 2 years and language ability at 2.5 years.
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