COMPUTERIZED CARDIOTOCOGRAPHY FOLLOWING VIBROACOUSTIC STIMULATION OF PREMATURE FETUSES

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of vibr oacoustic stimulation (VAS) on the fetal heart rates (FHRs) in a group of premature fetuses. Study Design: The FHRs were analyzed using the Oxford Sonicaid Computer System 8000, 30 min preceding and then 3 time s following VAS. Results: The changes of the mean FHR after VAS in the premature group and the control group of term fetuses occurred in the first 10 min after VAS, The greatest increase in the number of accele rations occurred in both groups during the 11-20 min following VAS. Th e long-term variability increased significantly in all 3 study periods in premature fetuses and only in the periods of 0-10 and 11-20 min in the control group. The increase in short-term variability was similar in both groups and it was greatest in the period of 11-20 min. Conclu sion: Most of the heart rate changes of premature fetuses occur betwee n 11 and 20 min following VAS.