Fetal Monitoring

Ultrasonography Monitoring: Chorionic sac during embryonic period placental and fetal size multiple births abnormal presentations biparietal diameter Uses reflection of very high frequency sound waves of between 3.5 to 7.0 megahertz (i.e. 3.5 to 7 million cycles per second)

Fetal Blood Sampling Usually from the scalp, fetal blood pH is a good indicator of placental gas exchange. In the past, fetal blood sampling was used only during labor through the mother's open cervix to test blood from the fetal scalp for oxygenation. Today, in many perinatal care centers, fetal blood sampling is performed by specially trained perinatologists as part of diagnosing, treating, and monitoring fetal problems at various times during pregnancy.

Fetal Blood Sampling A fetal blood sample may be taken to: diagnose genetic or chromosome abnormalities. check for and treat severe fetal anemia or other blood problems such as Rh disease. check for fetal oxygen levels. check for fetal infection. give certain medications to the fetus.

How is fetal blood sampling performed? A long, thin needle is inserted into the mother's uterus guided by ultrasound. Blood may be taken from several sources: blood vessels of the umbilical cord (also called cordocentesis, funicentesis, or percutaneous umbilical blood sampling, or PUBS) a fetal blood vessel, usually in the liver or heart Fetal blood transfusions may also be performed in this

used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections, in which a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues, is extracted from the amnion or amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus, and the fetal DNA is examined for genetic abnormalities. Little amniotic fluid present prior to 12th week of gestation Amniocentesis also referred to as amniotic fluid test or AFT

Chorionic Villus Sampling chromosomal abnormalities etc. The advantage of CVS is that it can be carried out weeks after the last period, earlier than amniocentesis (which is carried out at weeks).

Alpha-Fetoprotein Assay AFP is a glycoprotein synthesized in the fetal liver and yolk sac. The fetus normally excretes AFP into its urine, hence into the amniotic fluid. High levels may also be present due to: – open neural tube defect – open abdominal wall defect – skin disease or other failure of the interior or exterior body surface. – Various forms of tumours

Factors Affecting Fetal Growth

Placental Insufficiency Placental defects effectively reduce available surface area reduced uteroplacental blood flow may also occur due to maternal hypotension or renal disease.

Multiple Pregnancy Individuals of multiple births usually weigh considerably less in the third trimester placenta may not be able to supply the total requirements for multiple births

Small Babies Low birth weight: – < 2,500g Premature: – < 37 weeks of gestation Small for Date: – Smaller than expected for age

Maturity

Gradient vs Indicator Maturity Gradients – assessment of the relative rates of development of parts or structures of the body Maturity Indicators – Some characteristic of the body that has distinct stages of development that all normally developing children will pass through

Maturity Gradient

17 Upper Arm Maturity Gradient

Three 13 year old Girls

Three 14 year old Boys

Bigness vs Maturity Do not confuse size with maturation Obesity often associated with advanced maturation skeletally but not in muscular development

Maturity Indicators Age of Peak Height Velocity Skeletal Age Dental Age Menarche Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Skeletal Age

Closer relationship of Age at Menarche with Skeletal Age (SA) than Chronological Age (CA)

Stages of Penis Development

Stages of Pubic Hair Development (Girls)

Maturity Indicator Intercorrelations

Synchrony of Pubertal Events