Fetal Development
Conditions
Keywords
Fetal Biophysical Profile
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the fetal biophysical profile (BPP) scoring in pregnant women from 20 weeks-0 days' to 36 weeks-6 days' gestation. A biophysical profile (BPP) is a score that is intended to assess fetal well-being. This test will be performed within the expected time of the routine ultrasound exam.
Detailed description
1. PURPOSE: To determine whether human fetal biophysical profile (BPP) scoring varies according to gestational age in preterm pregnancies. 2. RATIONALE: Fetal BPP and non-stress tests (NST) are useful tools in the assessment of fetal well-being in term fetuses. While for NST it has been established that the criteria for reassuring well-being are less strict in premature fetuses below 32 weeks' gestation, the pattern of BPP scoring according to preterm gestational age has not been fully investigated. The investigators consider that in premature fetuses, a reassuring BPP scoring does not need to be as strict as that used in term fetuses. 3. STUDY/PROJECT POPULATION: The Investigators' aim to use BPP scoring during routine ultrasound visits that pregnant patients undergo as part of their prenatal care. A routine ultrasound visit is performed during 30 to 60 minutes. The use of BPP will not add additional time to that taken by the routine ultrasound visit. The investigators will use BPP scoring in women from 20 to 36 weeks' gestation who attend routine ultrasound visits at the MedPlex Outpatient Clinic - Regional One Health. The sonographers are trained in the performance of BPP. The investigators will include women with singleton and multiple pregnancies who are able to provide informed consent. The investigators will exclude women who do not consent for the study, those unable to provide informed consent, and those with lethal fetal anomalies. 4. RESEARCH DESIGN Descriptive study with prospective collection of data. 5. STUDY/PROJECT PROCEDURES: The study will involve the performance of a biophysical profile (BPP) scoring during routine ultrasound exams. The BPP is not intended to last more than 30 minutes. A BPP score is composed by ultrasound assessment of: * amniotic fluid volume (normal = 2 points, low = 0 points) * fetal movements (3 or more movements = 2 points, less movements = 0 points); we will record the total number of movements during the testing period * fetal breathing (sustained 30 second breathing = 2 points, \<30 seconds = 0 points); we will record time of sustained breathing during the testing period * fetal tone (extension and flexion = 2 points, lack of extension/flexion = 0 points) For those patients undergoing standard of care scheduled BPP, information will be abstracted from the scheduled test. For those patients undergoing standard of care ultrasound but are not scheduled for BPP, additional BPP will be obtained within the time allotted for the already scheduled ultrasound. The investigators will correlate the BPP scoring with the non-stress test (NST) or Doppler flow reports in those fetuses already undergoing NST or Doppler studies for other obstetric indications not related to the purpose of this study. 6. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: fetal or neonatal survival Secondary outcomes: * gestational age at delivery * need for NST * hospitalization * need for antenatal steroids use * fetal growth restriction * spontaneous or indicated preterm delivery * neonate apgars * neonatal morbidity: respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurologic, metabolic
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
University of Tennessee
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* pregnant women between 20 wks 0 days and 36 wks and 6 days * singleton or multiple pregnancies * able to provide informed consent * age 18 to 45 years old
Exclusion criteria
* lethal fatal anomalies * those not providing informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fetal or neonatal survival measured as live birth or fetal demise | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| need for non-stress test as necessary for related health issue, determined by the health history and measured by occurrence with supporting health documentation | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
| hospitalization measured as necessary for related health issue with documentation of procedures and length of stay | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
| need for antenatal steroids use as indicated for high risk of preterm delivery measured as necessary for related health issue, and utilized. | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
| gestational age at delivery as measured by ultrasound calculations | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
| spontaneous or indicated preterm delivery documented as occurring or necessary for related health issue | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
| neonate apgar scores measured at birth: At 1 minute and 5 minutes (scoring 0, 1,or 2 in 5 physiological functions: Activity (muscle tone), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex response), Appearance (color), and Respiration (breathing)]. | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
| Number of neonates born with morbid conditions: respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurologic, metabolic; documented as present. | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
| fetal growth restriction (FGR) measured by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): FGR: Fetus-estimated weight below 10th percentile. small for gestational age (SGA): Newborns-weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. | 20 weeks 0 days up to 36 weeks and 6 days | will be monitored and recorded on all participants |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed