Fetal Bradycardia in Response to Maternal Hypothermia.

BACKGROUND

Fetal tachycardia can occur with maternal fever (hyperthermia); therefore, a low maternal temperature (hypothermia) might produce fetal bradycardia.

CASES: Five cases of fetal bradycardia are presented in gestations complicated by maternal hypothermia. The fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings demonstrated stable baselines of 88-96 beats per minute with moderate variability and accelerations. All baselines returned to normal after maternal warming measures.

CONCLUSION

A possible cause for fetal bradycardia with a stable baseline and moderate variability is maternal hypothermia, a pattern not indicative of fetal hypoxia. Delivery is not indicated, and maternal warming results in FHR baseline normalization.