DO HIGH FETAL CATECHOLAMINE LEVELS AFFECT HEART-RATE-VARIABILITY AND MECONIUM PASSAGE DURING LABOR

Objectives. To determine the relationship between umbilical arterial c atecholamine levels and fetal heart rate variability and meconium pass age. Study design. A prospective descriptive study was performed. Umbi lical artery catecholamine levels were measured in 55 newborns and cor related with fetal heart rate before delivery, umbilical arterial pH, base excess and the presence of meconium-stained liquor. Results and c onclusion. The range of catecholamine levels was enormous, with very h igh epinephrine or norepinephrine levels in several fetuses. We were u nable to demonstrate an association between high catecholamine levels and the presence of normal fetal heart rate variability despite acidae mia. We postulate that high catecholamine levels may inhibit fetal mec onium passage.