Abstract
The purpose of this study was to measure by NIRS changes in cerebral oxyhacmoglobin [HbO2] and deoxyhaemoglobin [Hb] concentrations during labour. Two optical fibres were placed via the cervix 3cm apart on the scalp of 8 term infants. Uterine contractions were divided into those with and without fetal bean rate (FUR) decelerations (a fall in FHR of ≥ 15 beats.min−1 for ≥ 15 sees). In 6 fetuses contractions without decelerations (n=44) were associated with falls in both [HbO2] and [Hb], by 0.50 ± SD 0.27 μmol.100g−1 and 0.78 ± 0.60 μmol.100g−1 respectively. In 5 of these 6 fetuses FHR decelerations were seen (n=20) and were also accompanied by falls in [HbO2], of 0.87 ± 0.54 μmol.100g−1, but [Hb] rose by 1.10 ± 0.60 umol.100g−1 (p<0.01 vs contractions without decelerations, ANOVA). In the remaining 2 fetuses both [HbO2] and [Hb] rose during contractions (n=18), by 0.71 ± 0.43 umol.100g−1 and 1.22 ± 0.55 μmol.100g± respectively, no FUR decelerations were seen. We conclude that: (1) NIRS allows non-invasive monitoring of cerebral oxygenation and haemoglobin concentration during labour; (2) In most infants studied normal uterine contractions were associated with falls in cerebral [HbO2] and [Hb]; (3) ConiracLions wilh FHR decelerations were associated with desaturation of cerebral haemoglobin.
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Peebles, D., Edwards, A., Wyatt, J. et al. 25 EFFECT OF UTERINE CONTRACTIONS ON HUMAN FETAL CEREBRAL OXYGENATION AND HAEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION MEASURED BY NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (NIRS). Pediatr Res 30, 632 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00055
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00055