Intrapartum fetal cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics assessed by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)
Intrapartum fetal cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics assessed by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a new technique that allows non-invasive observations of changes in the cerebral concentration of oxyhaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin to be made. The aim of this work was to use NIRS to investigate previously inaccessible physiological parameters of the human fetal brain during labour and also to evaluate its potential as a fetal monitoring tool.
During both normal and abnormal labours a specially designed optical probe was inserted through the dilated cervix and placed against the fetal head (75 cases). Changes in cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics were compared with other available measures of fetal wellbeing, such as fetal heart rate and acid-base status. The effects of various conventional obstetric practices were also evaluated.
The studies indicated that intrapartum fetal NIRS was clinically feasible, safe and acceptable to mothers and labour ward staff. Continuous quantitative measurements could be obtained from early in the first stage of labour up to the point of delivery, and satisfactory data was obtained in approximately 90% of women selected for study. Indices of fetal acidaemia measured at birth correlated significantly with low values for mean cerebral oxygen saturation determined by NIRS shortly before delivery. Certain patterns of fetal heart rate changes during uterine contractions were related to a significant reduction at cerebral oxygenation. Maternal oxygen administration during normal labour resulted in a significant rise in cerebral oxygenation and co-ordinated maternal pushing and adopting a supine position during labour were associated with significant decreases in fetal cerebral oxygenation.
University of Southampton
1994
Aldrich, Clive Jeffrey
(1994)
Intrapartum fetal cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics assessed by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a new technique that allows non-invasive observations of changes in the cerebral concentration of oxyhaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin to be made. The aim of this work was to use NIRS to investigate previously inaccessible physiological parameters of the human fetal brain during labour and also to evaluate its potential as a fetal monitoring tool.
During both normal and abnormal labours a specially designed optical probe was inserted through the dilated cervix and placed against the fetal head (75 cases). Changes in cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics were compared with other available measures of fetal wellbeing, such as fetal heart rate and acid-base status. The effects of various conventional obstetric practices were also evaluated.
The studies indicated that intrapartum fetal NIRS was clinically feasible, safe and acceptable to mothers and labour ward staff. Continuous quantitative measurements could be obtained from early in the first stage of labour up to the point of delivery, and satisfactory data was obtained in approximately 90% of women selected for study. Indices of fetal acidaemia measured at birth correlated significantly with low values for mean cerebral oxygen saturation determined by NIRS shortly before delivery. Certain patterns of fetal heart rate changes during uterine contractions were related to a significant reduction at cerebral oxygenation. Maternal oxygen administration during normal labour resulted in a significant rise in cerebral oxygenation and co-ordinated maternal pushing and adopting a supine position during labour were associated with significant decreases in fetal cerebral oxygenation.
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Published date: 1994
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Local EPrints ID: 459944
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/459944
PURE UUID: 33c97a8b-491f-4e72-8baa-5a3972ae66a2
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 17:28
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 17:28
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Author:
Clive Jeffrey Aldrich
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