VP24.04: The delayed fetal neurological maturation in women with threatened preterm labour

Abstract

Objectives The uterine activity separated from maternal abdominal signal could contribute to better diagnosing of threatened preterm birth. This signal is being obtained via equipment for fetal non-invasive electrocardiography. The detection of acceleration capacity (AC) and deceleration capacity (DC) variables reflects the fetal neurological development.

Methods Totally examined 192 pregnant women. The US cervicometry was performed at 16 weeks of gestation. The patients with normal cervical length (> 30 mm) were enrolled in Group I (n = 34). The US investigation of cervical length and fetal AC/DC detection via transabdominal non-invasive electrocardiography at 26, 32, and 38 weeks of gestation were used in Group II (n = 84). The investigation of uterine activity was additionally performed in women in Group III (n = 74). Fetal cardio signals and maternal uterine activity were obtained via non-invasive fetal electrocardiography using Cardiolab Babycard equipment (the “KhAI Medica” Scientific Research centre, Ukraine). The monitoring of fetal AC/DC was also performed in Group I. The results were analysed with an ANOVA test.

Results The level of AC/DC was minimal in all groups at 26 weeks. This fact reflects the immaturity of autonomic regulation. But later on, the decreased values of AC/DC were found in Group II and Group III at 32 and 38 weeks of gestation. Thus, the threatened preterm delivery has a negative projection on fetal neurodevelopment. The sensitivity and the specificity of the threatened preterm labour detection were in Group II and Group III respectively: 86.49% (95% CI – 76.55% to 93.32%) and 58.82% (95% CI – 40.70% to 75.35%); 98.46% (95% CI – 91.72% to 99.96%) and 90.91% (95 % CI – 58.72% to 99.77%). The use of uterine activity has improved the accuracy of threatened preterm labour diagnosing.

Conclusions The application of uterine activity extracted from electrophysiological maternal abdominal signal contributed to better diagnosing of the threatened preterm labour. Fetal neurodevelopment is retarded in case of the threatened preterm birth.