biostudies-literatureUnknown101(7)Ghesquiere L<h4>Introduction</h4>This study evaluated the association between fetal heart rate variability (HRV) and the occurrence of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in a fetal sheep model.<h4>Material and methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>Acute anoxic-ischemic brain lesions in all regions was present in 7/9 fetuses, and specific neural injury was observed in 3/9 fetuses. The number of brainstem lesions correlated significantly and inversely with the HRV fetal stress index (r = -0.784; p = 0.021) in phase C and with HRV long-term variability (r = -0.677; p = 0.045) and short-term variability (r = -0.837; p = 0.005) in phase B. The number of neurological lesions did not correlate significantly with other markers of HRV.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Neural injury caused by severe hypoxia was associated with HRV changes; in particular, brainstem damage was associated with changes in fetal-specific HRV markers.Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica758-770https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9564451biostudies-literatureAssociations between fetal heart rate variability and umbilical cord occlusions-induced neural injury: An experimental study in a fetal sheep model.PMC9564451Garabedian CNguyen SHoufflin-Debarge VDe Jonckheere JPerbet RLacan LHamoud YSharma DGhesquiere LStichelbout MStorme LfalseAssociations between fetal heart rate variability and umbilical cord occlusions-induced neural injury: An experimental study in a fetal sheep model.<h4>Introduction</h4>This study evaluated the association between fetal heart rate variability (HRV) and the occurrence of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in a fetal sheep model.<h4>Material and methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>Acute anoxic-ischemic brain lesions in all regions was present in 7/9 fetuses, and specific neural injury was observed in 3/9 fetuses. The number of brainstem lesions correlated significantly and inversely with the HRV fetal stress index (r = -0.784; p = 0.021) in phase C and with HRV long-term variability (r = -0.677; p = 0.045) and short-term variability (r = -0.837; p = 0.005) in phase B. The number of neurological lesions did not correlate significantly with other markers of HRV.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Neural injury caused by severe hypoxia was associated with HRV changes; in particular, brainstem damage was associated with changes in fetal-specific HRV markers.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jul2025-04-04T23:44:30.263Z2025-04-04T23:44:30.263ZS-EPMC95644513550264210.1111/aogs.14352