Effects of maternal breathing rate, psychiatric status, and cortisol on fetal heart rate.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Monk C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3747960 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Effects of maternal breathing rate, psychiatric status, and cortisol on fetal heart rate.
Monk Catherine C Fifer William P WP Myers Michael M MM Bagiella Emilia E Duong Jimmy K JK Chen Ivy S IS Leotti Lauren L Altincatal Arman A
Developmental psychobiology 20101117 3
Women's experiences during pregnancy are predictive of variation in neurobehavioral profiles in their children. Few studies have assessed these relationships during the prenatal period. In 113 women in the 36(th) -38(th) gestational week (mean age 26.3 ± 5.4 years), electrocardiogram, blood pressure, respiration, salivary cortisol, and fetal heart rate (HR) were measured during baseline, a psychological challenge (Stroop color-word matching task), and a standardized paced breathing protocol. Sub ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundMaternal sleep-disordered breathing is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and is considered to be deleterious to the developing fetus. Maternal obesity potentiates sleep-disordered breathing, which, in turn, may contribute to the effect of maternal obesity on adverse fetal outcomes. However, only a few empirical studies have evaluated the contemporaneous effects of maternal sleep-disordered breathing events on fetal well-being. These events include apnea and hypopnea with accompanying desaturations in oxyhemoglobin.ObjectiveThis study aimed to reconcile contradictory findings on the associations between maternal apnea or hypopnea events and clinical indicators of fetal compromise. It also sought to broaden the knowledge base by examining the fetal heart rate and heart rate variability before, during, and after episodes of maternal apnea or hypopnea. To accomplish this, we employed overnight polysomnography, the gold standard for ascertaining maternal sleep-disordered breathing, and synchronized it with continuous fetal electrocardiography.Study designA total of 84 pregnant women with obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m2) participated in laboratory-based polysomnography with digitized fetal electrocardiography recordings during or near 36 weeks of gestation. Sleep was recorded, on average, for 7 hours. Decelerations in fetal heart rate were identified. Fetal heart rate and heart rate variability were quantified before, during, and after each apnea or hypopnea event. Event-level intensity (desaturation magnitude, duration, and nadir O2 saturation level) and person-level characteristics based on the full overnight recording (apnea-hypopnea index, mean O2 saturation, and O2 saturation variability) were analyzed as potential moderators using linear mixed effects models.ResultsA total of 2936 sleep-disordered breathing events were identified, distributed among all but 2 participants. On average, participants exhibited 8.7 episodes of apnea or hypopnea per hour (mean desaturation duration, 19.1 seconds; mean O2 saturation nadir, 86.6% per episode); nearly half (n=39) of the participants met the criteria for obstructive sleep apnea. Only 45 of 2936 apnea or hypopnea events were followed by decelerations (1.5%). Conversely, most (n=333, 88%) of the 378 observed decelerations, including the prolonged ones, did not follow an apnea or a hypopnea event. Maternal sleep-disordered breathing burden, body mass index, and fetal sex were unrelated to the number of decelerations. Fetal heart rate variability increased during events of maternal apnea or hypopnea but returned to initial levels soon thereafter. There was a dose-response association between the size of the increase in fetal heart rate variability and the maternal apnea-hypopnea index, event duration, and desaturation depth. Longer desaturations were associated with a decreased likelihood of the variability returning to baseline levels after the event. The mean fetal heart rate did not change during episodes of maternal apnea or hypopnea.ConclusionEpisodes of maternal sleep apnea and hypopnea did not evoke decelerations in the fetal heart rate despite the predisposing risk factors that accompany maternal obesity. The significance of the modest transitory increase in fetal heart rate variability in response to apnea and hypopnea episodes is not clear but may reflect compensatory, delimited autonomic responses to momentarily adverse conditions. This study found no evidence that episodes of maternal sleep-disordered breathing pose an immediate threat, as reflected in fetal heart rate responses, to the near-term fetus.
| S-EPMC10050230 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between birthweight and maternal heart rate (MHR) or heart rate variability (HRV) under resting conditions at 20-24 gestational weeks and 34 weeks or later (34+ weeks).MethodsData were retrospectively reviewed from the Safe Passage Study, a prospective longitudinal cohort study of alcohol use in pregnancy and birth outcomes in Cape Town, South Africa, between August 2007 and January 2015. Using custom-designed software, MHR and indicators of HRV were obtained from the recorded maternal electrocardiograms and compared with birthweight and z-scores of birthweight adjusted for gestation and gender.ResultsData from 5655 women were included. MHR increased from 84.6 bpm at 20-24 weeks to 88.3 bpm at 34+ weeks. Increasing MHR from 70-80 to 80-90 and 90-100 bpm at 20-24 weeks was associated with increasing birthweight from 2940 to 2998 and 3032 g, respectively (P<0.05). MHR and HRV contributed 29% to the variability associated with birthweight, whereas maternal body mass index at recruitment contributed 44%. Similar associations were observed for MHR at 34+ weeks.ConclusionThe observed association of low maternal heart rate with birthweight might help to identify pregnancies at risk of poor fetal growth.
| S-EPMC6610713 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine whether maternal cortisol levels affect fetal heart rate patterns in primiparous pregnant women in the third trimester.MethodsThis cross-sectional descriptive study included 400 primiparous pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies between November and December 2022. The study included primiparous pregnant women over 18 years old in the third trimester who had not exercised for at least 2 h before the fetal heart rate monitoring and had a healthy pregnancy without consuming any food or drink. Fetuses with decelerating heartbeats and pregnant women who showed uterine contraction and cervical dilation during the fetal heart rate monitoring were excluded from the study. Research data were collected with the data collection form. The fetal heart rate data were collected using a cardiotocograph. At least two accelerations during the 20-min nonstress test period were the basis for diagnosing a reactive nonstress test. About 5 mL of maternal saliva for cortisol measurements was collected before fetal heart rate monitoring. Research data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Macintosh, Version 28.0. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the comparison of the groups in terms of education and income status, family type, fetal gender, pregnancy planning status, BMI and age averages, or gestational week averages (p>0.05). The number of at least two accelerations required for the diagnosis of reactive NST was also higher in Group 1 (maternal salivary cortisol level ≤24.20). A moderately positive relationship between fetal heart rate and maternal salivary cortisol was observed (r=0.448, p=0.000). In total, 11.9% of the total change in fetal heart rate level is explained by maternal cortisol (R2=0.119). Maternal cortisol increases fetal heart rate level (ß=0.349).ConclusionThese findings suggest that stress in primiparous pregnant women with high cortisol levels may influence fetal heart rate patterns. It was revealed that the increase in cortisol level, considered a stress hormone, may be a harbinger of fetal tachycardia.
| S-EPMC10204844 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Recent studies have established that cardiac and respiratory phases can modulate perception and related neural dynamics. While heart rate and respiratory sinus arrhythmia possibly affect interoception biomarkers, such as heartbeat-evoked potentials, the relative changes in heart rate and cardiorespiratory dynamics in interoceptive processes have not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated the variation in heart and breathing rates, as well as higher functional dynamics including cardiorespiratory correlation and frontal hemodynamics measured with fNIRS, during a heartbeat counting task. To further investigate the functional physiology linked to changes in vagal activity caused by specific breathing rates, we performed the heartbeat counting task together with a controlled breathing rate task. The results demonstrate that focusing on heartbeats decreases breathing and heart rates in comparison, which may be part of the physiological mechanisms related to "listening" to the heart, the focus of attention, and self-awareness. Focusing on heartbeats was also observed to increase frontal connectivity, supporting the role of frontal structures in the neural monitoring of visceral inputs. However, cardiorespiratory correlation is affected by both heartbeats counting and controlled breathing tasks. Based on these results, we concluded that variations in heart and breathing rates are confounding factors in the assessment of interoceptive abilities and relative fluctuations in breathing and heart rates should be considered to be a mode of covariate measurement of interoceptive processes.
| S-EPMC9712694 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: Prenatal exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) antidepressants increases risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, yet little is known about whether effects are present before birth. In relation to maternal SRI pharmacokinetics, this study investigated chronic and acute effects of prenatal SRI exposure on third-trimester fetal heart rate variability (HRV), while evaluating confounding effects of maternal depressed mood. Methods: At 36-weeks' gestation, cardiotocograph measures of fetal HR and HRV were obtained from 148 pregnant women [four groups: SRI-Depressed (n = 31), SRI-Non-Depressed (n = 18), Depressed (unmedicated; n = 42), and Control (n = 57)] before, and ~5-h after, typical SRI dose. Maternal plasma drug concentrations were quantified at baseline (pre-dose) and four time-points post-dose. Mixed effects modeling investigated group differences between baseline/pre-dose and post-dose fetal HR outcomes. Post hoc analyses investigated sex differences and dose-dependent SRI effects. Results: Maternal SRI plasma concentrations were lowest during the baseline/pre-dose fetal assessment (trough) and increased to a peak at the post-dose assessment; concentration-time curves varied widely between individuals. No group differences in fetal HR or HRV were observed at baseline/pre-dose; however, following maternal SRI dose, short-term HRV decreased in both SRI-exposed fetal groups. In the SRI-Depressed group, these post-dose decreases were displayed by male fetuses, but not females. Further, episodes of high HRV decreased post-dose relative to baseline, but only among SRI-Non-Depressed group fetuses. Higher maternal SRI doses also predicted a greater number of fetal HR decelerations. Fetuses exposed to unmedicated maternal depressed mood did not differ from Controls. Conclusions: Prenatal SRI exposure had acute post-dose effects on fetal HRV in late gestation, which differed depending on maternal mood response to SRI pharmacotherapy. Importantly, fetal SRI effects were sex-specific among mothers with persistent depressive symptoms, as only male fetuses displayed acute HRV decreases. At trough (pre-dose), chronic fetal SRI effects were not identified; however, concurrent changes in maternal SRI plasma levels suggest that fetal drug exposure is inconsistent. Acute SRI-related changes in fetal HRV may reflect a pharmacologic mechanism, a transient impairment in autonomic functioning, or an early adaption to altered serotonergic signaling, which may differ between males and females. Replication is needed to determine significance with postnatal development.
| S-EPMC8415315 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Ritodrine hydrochloride is used for pregnancy prolongation and intrauterine fetal resuscitation. However, its clinical significance in intraamniotic inflammation during preterm labor and intrauterine fetal distress is unclear. We investigated the effects of maternal ritodrine hydrochloride administration (MRA; 200 μg/min for 2 h, followed by 800 μg/min for 2 h after 24 h) on fetal physiological parameters. For this purpose, we used chronically instrumented pregnant sheep at 113-119 d (term = 145 d) of gestation without (Group 1, n = 5) and with (Group 2, n = 5) intraamniotic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide injection into the amniotic cavity. The changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) and short-term variability (STV) and long-term variability (LTV) in FHR, fetal blood pressure, and fetal arterial blood gas (FABG) values were measured before and at 1 and 2 h after initiating MRA. Before MRA, all parameters were similar between Groups 1 and 2; however, there was significantly higher STV in Group 2 than in Group 1 before MRA at 800 μg/min, significantly higher partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide in FABG in Group 2 than in Group 1 before MRA at 200 μg/min, and significantly lower blood glucose (BG) in Group 2 than in Group 1 before MRA at 800 μg/min. One hour after MRA, the FHR, STV, and LTV were significantly higher at 800 μg/min than those at the baseline in Group 1, as determined by the Friedman test; however, no significant difference was observed in Group 2. Additionally, the FABG pH significantly decreased 1 h after MRA at 800 μg/min in Group 2, whereas FABG lactate and BG significantly increased 2 h after MRA at 800 μg/min in Groups 1 and 2. Thus, short-term MRA at 800 μg/min increased the FHR, STV, and LTV significantly; these values were further modified under intraamniotic inflammation.
| S-EPMC8970407 | biostudies-literature
Project description:UnlabelledIt has been shown that short-term direct interaction between maternal and fetal heart rates may take place and that this interaction is affected by the rate of maternal respiration. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal aerobic exercise during pregnancy on the occurrence of fetal-maternal heart rate synchronization.MethodsIn 40 pregnant women at the 36th week of gestation, 21 of whom exercised regularly, we acquired 18 min. RR interval time series obtained simultaneously in the mothers and their fetuses from magnetocardiographic recordings. The time series of the two groups were examined with respect to their heart rate variability, the maternal respiratory rate and the presence of synchronization epochs as determined on the basis of synchrograms. Surrogate data were used to assess whether the occurrence of synchronization was due to chance.ResultsIn the original data, we found synchronization occurred less often in pregnancies in which the mothers had exercised regularly. These subjects also displayed higher combined fetal-maternal heart rate variability and lower maternal respiratory rates. Analysis of the surrogate data showed shorter epochs of synchronization and a lack of the phase coordination found between maternal and fetal beat timing in the original data.ConclusionThe results suggest that fetal-maternal heart rate coupling is present but generally weak. Maternal exercise has a damping effect on its occurrence, most likely due to an increase in beat-to-beat differences, higher vagal tone and slower breathing rates.
| S-EPMC4146588 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe fetal autonomic nervous system (ANS) is believed to be negatively affected by maternal adverse emotional states. In this study, we evaluated how depression, anxiety and stress during pregnancy are related to fetal heart rate variability (HRV) as recorded with magnetocardiography (MCG). We also considered metabolic factors such as maternal adiposity and circulating levels of cortisol during gestation. Furthermore, we followed up these fetuses after birth, recording HRV and saliva levels of cortisol in these infants to establish any effects postpartum.MethodsWe calculated HRV in spontaneous MCG recordings from 32 healthy fetuses between 32 and 38 weeks of gestational age. Maternal emotional state was assessed using standardized questionnaires about anxiety, depression and stress. An overall indicator of maternal well-being was calculated by z-scoring each individual questionnaire and summation. We used a median split to divide the group into high and low z-scores (HZS and LZS), respectively. Standard HRV measures were determined in the time and frequency domain. T-test analyses were performed between LZS and HZS, with the HRV and the metabolic measures as the dependent variables.ResultsWe found an impaired HRV in the HZS group both during pregnancy and after birth. No differences were observed between LZS and HZS for metabolic factors. Depression and anxiety symptoms seem to affect HRV differently. No relationship was found between maternal and infant cortisol levels.ConclusionsOn the basis of our results on different HRV parameters, we propose that maternal emotional state might affect the development of the fetal nervous system in utero.
| S-EPMC9995932 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveMaternal depression during gestation is an adverse factor in fetal brain development that manifests in later childhood behavioral problems. Fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) mediated by parasympathetic input is a marker of gestational nervous system development. Biological mediators of adverse effects of maternal depression may involve the mother's corticosteroids; however, links between depression, corticosteroids, and early nervous system development remain inconclusive.MethodsHeart rate was recorded in 23 fetuses by transabdominal Doppler at 28-33 weeks gestation. The SD of interbeat intervals over 20 min assessed FHRV. Maternal depression ratings and hair concentrations of cortisol and cortisone were assayed. An auditory sensory gating paradigm assessed newborn development of cerebral inhibition. Parents rated their infant's temperament characteristics on the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised Short Form (IBQ-R).ResultsMaternal depression was associated with lower FHRV, especially for male fetuses, β = -0.633, P = 0.045. Maternal depression was associated with lower cortisol to total corticosteroids ratios, β = -0.519, P = 0.033. Lower cortisol ratios were associated with decreased FHRV, β = 0.485, P = 0.019. Decreased FHRV was associated with increased newborn sensory gating deficits, β = -0.992, P = 0.035, indicating poorer development of cerebral inhibition. Higher FHRV was related to increased infant IBQ-R self-regulatory behaviors, r = 0.454, P = 0.029.ConclusionMaternal depression is associated via corticosteroids with decreased development of nervous system control of fetal heart rate. Decreased FHRV indicates developmental alterations in gestation that correlate with altered brain function and subsequent regulatory challenges in early infancy.
| S-EPMC9762166 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Understanding the complex dynamics of cardio-respiratory coupling sheds light on the underlying mechanisms governing the communication between these two physiological systems. Previous research has predominantly considered the coupling at respiratory rates slower than the heart rate and shown that respiratory oscillations lead to modulation and/or synchronization of the heart rate. Whereas the mechanisms of cardio-respiratory communication are still under discussion, peripheral nervous regulation is considered to be the predominant factor. This work offers a novel experimental design and applies the concept of instantaneous phase to detect cardio-respiratory entrainment at elevated respiration rates, close to the resting heart rate. If such 1:1 entrainment exists, it would suggest direct neuronal communication between the respiration and heart centres in the brain. We have observed 1:1 entrainment in all volunteers, with consistently longer synchronization episodes seen in physically fitter people, and demonstrated that cardio-respiratory synchronization at both low and high respiration rates is associated with a common underlying communication mechanism.
| S-EPMC6367452 | biostudies-literature