Fetal heart rate patterns associated with periventricular leukomalacia.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to assess the applicability of fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring to detect fetuses at risk of developing periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).

METHODS

FHR tracings obtained for babies delivered under 33 weeks' gestation and with a birth weight under 2000 g were assessed for baseline heart rate, variability, deceleration and "flip flap' (an oscillatory tracing pattern).

RESULTS

PVL developed in 19 of the 103 infants studied. All of these infants were among the fetuses who exhibited average and increased variability. In addition, PVL was detected in 10 (47.6%) of the 21 flip flap positive fetuses, and in 9 (11.0%) of the 82 flip flap negative fetuses. The incidence of PVL was significantly higher in the flip flap positive fetuses (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

The possibility that an unstable intrauterine environment, reflected by a flip flap pattern, is related to the subsequent development of PVL is indicated.