Key result
Routine fetal monitoring during labor reveals beat-to-beat RR interval changes rarely exceed ~50 ms.
Why the study?
The range of beat-to-beat changes in fetal inter-beat (RR) intervals during routine clinical monitoring in labour was not well characterized.
Observational (n=10)
Fetal RR interval beat-to-beat changes during labour have an inter-quartile range of 23 ms, which differs from antenatal data and could inform better monitoring algorithms.
Provides preliminary norms for intrapartum fetal RR variability; leaves open outcome-linked validation before guiding clinical thresholds.
This study was designed to investigate the range of beat-to-beat changes in fetal inter-beat (RR) intervals during routine clinical monitoring in labour. Fetal RR intervals were automatically measured and collected from 10 fetuses. Intervals which were incorrectly measured were excluded, and the remaining 23,510 intervals were used to compile the distribution of beat-to-beat changes. The inter-quartile range of this distribution was 23 ms and the 99th centile fell at approximately 50 ms. No relationship could be established between beat-to-beat changes and the absolute RR interval. These findings differ from the results published by other workers on the basis of data obtained antenatally or during early labour. In addition, the results suggest possibilities for improving algorithms designed to enhance data quality in fetal heart rate monitoring.
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Bartlett et al. (1991) conducted an observational in Fetuses in labour (n=10). Routine clinical monitoring in labour was evaluated on Distribution of beat-to-beat changes in fetal inter-beat (RR) intervals. Routine clinical monitoring of 10 fetuses in labour showed an inter-quartile range of beat-to-beat RR interval changes of 23 ms, with the 99th centile at approximately 50 ms.
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