Carlo V. Bellieni, Filiberto Severi, Catarina Bocchi, Ninetta Caparelli, Franco Bagnoli, Giuseppe Buonocore, Felice Petraglia
Blink-startle reflex habituation in 30–34-week low-risk fetuses
Objective: To investigate whether the blink-startle reflex (BSR) is a good marker of habituation to vibroacoustic stimulation in healthy preterm fetuses.
Materials and methods: A total of 22 women with uncomplicated pregnancies at 30–34 weeks participated in the study. Vibroacoustic stimulus was repeatedly applied to the maternal abdomen above the fetal head for a period of 2 s every 10 s. Fetal eye tightening monitored by ultrasound within 2 s of the stimulus was considered a positive response. The habituation rate was defined as the number of stimuli applied before the fetus stopped responding to two consecutive stimuli. Results were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test.
Results: All 22 fetuses showed habituation at a rate that varied from 1 to 9 (mean 4.2±1.8).
Conclusion: BSR is a good marker of habituation in preterm fetuses. Further study is needed to ascertain whether abnormal BSR habituation could be a sign of fetal distress.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 33, 01/2005
Pages: 33 - 37
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