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Pharmacological Aspects of Fetal Heart Rate Regulation During Hypoxia

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Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Abstract

Reduction in the level of fetal oxygenation can produce a variety of changes in the fetal heart rate (FHR). In addition to the degree and duration of the lack of oxygen, other factors which can influence the FHR response to hypoxia include the age of the fetus, its condition at the onset of the hypoxic stress, and the presence and degree of hypercapnia and acidemia accompanying the hypoxia. Hypoxia can affect the FHR by reflex mechanisms involving both major divisions of the autonomic nervous system, by stimulating the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla and by direct depression of myocardial rhythmicity. The FHR can be influenced indirectly by hypoxia-induced changes in brain activity state, breathing, and somatic movements.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 7612 Hillcrest Ave., Middletion, WI, 53562, USA

    C. B. Martin Jr.

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  1. C. B. Martin Jr.
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Klinikstr. 28, D-6300, Gießen, Germany

    Wolfgang Künzel

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© 1985 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Martin, C.B. (1985). Pharmacological Aspects of Fetal Heart Rate Regulation During Hypoxia. In: Künzel, W. (eds) Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70358-4_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70358-4_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-70360-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-70358-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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