Photoacoustic assessment of the fetal brain and placenta as a method of non-invasive antepartum and intrapartum monitoring.

A noninvasive monitor for concurrent evaluation of placental and fetal sagittal sinus sO 2 for both antepartum surveillance at the late 2nd and 3rd trimesters and intrapartum monitoring would be a great advantage over current methods. A PA fetal brain and placental monitor has potential value to rapidly identify the fetus at risk for developing hypoxia and ischemia of a sufficient degree that brain injury or death may develop, which may be prevented by intervention with delivery and other follow-up treatments.