ABSTRACT
Numerous studies have shown the clinical usefulness of monitoring fetal heart rate (FHR) variability. Among the disorders associated with decreased FHR variability during labor are fetal asphyxia and acidosis and subsequent distress in the newborn. Among the factors that influence FHR variability are maternal fever, fetal immaturity, so-called fetal sleep, fetal tachycardia, and drug administration to the mother. The nonstress test, which analyzes FHR variability and accelerations of heart rate with fetal movements, may be as useful as the oxytocin challenge test for assessing FHR variability. Doppler ultrasonic cardiography exaggerates the amount of FHR variability. FHR patterns associated with progressive loss of beat-to-beat variability in the absence of maternal drug intake necessitate intervention.
Subject(s)
Fetal Heart/physiology , Fetal Monitoring , Heart Rate , Electrocardiography , Female , Fetal Distress/diagnosis , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Risk , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
A case of rare müllerian anomaly, congenital atresia of the cervix in a functional bicornuate uterus, is presented together with a review of the literature in English. The patient in this case took an active role in the decision regarding the nature of the surgical treatment she was to undergo. It is suggested that total hystrectomy with preservation of the ovaries is the treatment of choice.
