Associations between fetal heart rate variability and umbilical cord occlusions-induced neural injury: An experimental study in a fetal sheep model.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

This study evaluated the association between fetal heart rate variability (HRV) and the occurrence of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in a fetal sheep model.

Material and methods

The experimental protocol created a hypoxic condition with repeated cord occlusions in three phases (A, B, C) to achieve acidosis to pH <7.00. Hemodynamic, gasometric and HRV parameters were analyzed during the protocol, and the fetal brain, brainstem and spinal cord were assessed histopathologically 48 h later. Associations between the various parameters and neural injury were compared between phases A, B and C using Spearman's rho test.

Results

Acute anoxic-ischemic brain lesions in all regions was present in 7/9 fetuses, and specific neural injury was observed in 3/9 fetuses.

SUBMITTER: Ghesquiere L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9564451 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature