Key result
A 'flip flap' fetal heart rate pattern was associated with a significantly higher incidence of periventricular leukomalacia compared to fetuses without this pattern (47.6% vs 11.0%, P < 0.005).
Why the study?
Does the 'flip flap' fetal heart rate pattern predict the development of periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants?
Observational (n=103)
Does the 'flip flap' fetal heart rate pattern predict the development of periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants?
Absolute Event Rate: 47.6% vs 11%
p-value: p=< 0.005
An oscillatory 'flip flap' fetal heart rate pattern is significantly associated with the development of periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants.
May prompt closer fetal surveillance in preterm labor; leaves open whether pattern recognition improves outcomes or warrants intervention trials.
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the applicability of fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring to detect fetuses at risk of developing periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). METHODS: FHR tracings obtained for babies delivered under 33 weeks' gestation and with a birth weight under 2000 g were assessed for baseline heart rate, variability, deceleration and "flip flap' (an oscillatory tracing pattern). RESULTS: PVL developed in 19 of the 103 infants studied. All of these infants were among the fetuses who exhibited average and increased variability. In addition, PVL was detected in 10 (47.6%) of the 21 flip flap positive fetuses, and in 9 (11.0%) of the 82 flip flap negative fetuses. The incidence of PVL was significantly higher in the flip flap positive fetuses (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The possibility that an unstable intrauterine environment, reflected by a flip flap pattern, is related to the subsequent development of PVL is indicated.
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Okamura et al. (1997) conducted an observational in Periventricular leukomalacia (n=103). Flip flap fetal heart rate pattern vs. Flip flap negative fetal heart rate pattern was evaluated on Development of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) (p=< 0.005). A 'flip flap' fetal heart rate pattern was associated with a significantly higher incidence of periventricular leukomalacia compared to fetuses without this pattern (47.6% vs 11.0%, P < 0.005).
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