To describe fetal body movements precisely and to clarify their developmental sequence in the second half of pregnancy, fetal body movements were observed in 31 normal fetuses between 20 and 41 weeks of pregnancy by using multiple ultrasonic machines. All movements of the whole trunk were able to be classified into six fundamental movements: flexion, stretch, rolling, startle, stepping, and writhing. Startle was always observed as a single movement, but others were more frequently observed as a part of combination rather than as a single movements. The incidence of flexion and stretch peaked at 28-31 weeks, whereas the incidence of startle and stepping lowered at the period. The incidence of rolling and upper half trunk movements increased at 40-41 weeks. Limb movements were frequent and did not exhibit characteristic change in the incidence. In conclusion, we classified fetal body movements into several fundamental movements instead of using the expression of "general movements" by focusing principally on movements of the trunk. In particular, some of the fundamental movements seem to appear in characteristic ways as related to gestational age. In view of that fetal behaviors are closely related to the neural activity, the present findings may contribute to an understanding of the developmental process of the central nervous system.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-994120 | DOI Listing |
Reprod Biol Endocrinol
January 2025
Departments of Internal Medicine and Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 330 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
Background: Overweight and obesity-chronic illnesses in which an increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal fat mass resulting in adverse metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences-negatively impact female fertility. Adverse conception outcomes are multifactorial, ranging from poor oocyte quality and implantation issues to miscarriages and fetal health issues. However, with the advent of novel pharmacologic agents, significant weight loss can be achieved, improving the chances of healthy pregnancies, and their use should be considered during periconceptual counseling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCan J Anaesth
January 2025
Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Toronto, ON, Canada.
Purpose: Class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40 kg·m) is associated with high rates of Cesarean deliveries and postpartum hemorrhage, with increased maternal and fetal morbidity. The doses of oxytocin and carbetocin are two to four times higher at Cesarean delivery in patients with class III obesity. We sought to investigate the efficacy of carbetocin 80 µg iv compared with oxytocin 1 IU iv (plus infusion) at elective Cesarean delivery in parturients with class III obesity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAfr J Reprod Health
December 2024
Department of Gynecology, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Jiangsu 210000, China.
This study was an original article, mainly aimed to explore the influence of nutritional guidance during pregnancy on nutritional status and pregnancy outcome of pregnant women. Two hundred (200) pregnant women were admitted to the Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command from May 2021 to May 2023. They were randomly sub-divided into a control group and an intervention group.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRSC Adv
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University Haikou 570228 China
Levodopa (l-Dopa), a precursor drug for dopamine has been widely used to treat Parkinson's disease. However, excess accumulation of l-Dopa in the body may cause movement disorders and uncontrollable emotions. Therefore, it is vital to monitor l-Dopa levels in patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Endocrinol (Lausanne)
January 2025
Institute of Health and Biological Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Brazil.
Introduction: Excess weight during pregnancy is a condition that can affect both mother and fetus, through the maternal-fetal interface, which is constituted by the placenta and umbilical cord. The umbilical vein is responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, and its proper functioning depends on the integrity of its structure. The remodeling of the umbilical vein represents one of the causes of inadequate transport of nutrients to the fetus, being potentially harmful.
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