Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the blink-startle reflex (BSR) is a good marker of habituation to vibroacoustic stimulation in healthy preterm fetuses.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two women with uncomplicated pregnancies at 30–34 weeks participated. The vibroacoustic stimulus was repeatedly applied to the maternal abdomen above the fetal head for a period of 2s every 10s. Fetal eye thickening monitored by US within 2s of the stimulus was considered a positive response. The habituation rate was defined as the number of stimuli applied before the fetus stopped responding to two consecutive stimuli. Results were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS: All 22 fetuses showed habituation at a rate that varied from 1 to 9 (mean 4.2 ± 1.8).
CONCLUSION: BSR is a good marker of habituation in preterm fetuses. Further study is needed to ascertain whether abnormal BSR habituation could be a sign of fetal suffering.
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Bellieni, C., Severi, F., Bocchi, C. et al. 28 Blink-Startle Reflex Habituation in 30–34 Week Low-Risk Fetuses. Pediatr Res 58, 359 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00057
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00057