Objective: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between fetal heart rate patterns before delivery and periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in the very low birth weight infant.
Study design: The last 30 minutes of electronic fetal heart rate data preceding delivery were analyzed for 84 singleton infants weighing between 700 and 1500 gm. All these infants received serial cranial ultrasonographic examinations commencing within 24 to 48 hours of birth.
Results: Thirty-three fetuses had normal heart rate patterns, and 51 had fetal heart rate abnormalities. Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage was not associated with fetal heart rate abnormalities. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that only gestational age < 28 weeks was a significant contributing factor to periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 4.8).
Conclusion: Fetal heart rate patterns immediately preceding delivery are not predictive of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in the very low birth weight infant.