A kick from within – fetal movement counting and the cancelled progress in antenatal care
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J. F. Frøen
Abstract
Interest for maternal fetal movement counting as a method of screening for fetal well-being boomed during the 1970s and 1980s. Several reports demonstrated that the introduction of counting charts significantly reduced stillbirth rates. However, in 1989, a large study appeared in The Lancet that annihilated research in this field by deeming charts ineffective. In retrospect, it seems evidence was lacking. This review revisits the subject of the significance of fetal movement counting in predicting outcome and reducing stillbirth rates. A structured search was performed to identify studies relating to pregnancy outcome and its association with maternal perception of fetal movements. Suspected preliminary or redundant material was excluded. Only publications from Western countries dating from after 1970 were included. Twenty-four studies were identified. Available data demonstrate that reduced fetal movements are associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, both in high and low risk pregnancies. Increased vigilance towards maternal perception of movements (e.g. by performing movement counting studies) reduces stillbirth rates, in particular stillbirths deemed avoidable. While screening for fetal well-being by maternal fetal movement counting can reduce fetal mortality rates, a resurrection in research activity is urgently needed to optimize its benefits.
Copyright © 2004 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
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- The role of ultrasonography in recognizing the cause of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly
- A kick from within – fetal movement counting and the cancelled progress in antenatal care
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- Implication of cord blood myeloperoxidase but of soluble p-selectin levels in preterm deliveries
- Fetal and early postnatal magnetic resonance imaging – is there a difference?
- Bone turnover markers and bone strength during the first weeks of life in very low birth weight premature infants
- The ponderal index in triplets: I. Relationship to small for gestational age neonates
- The ponderal index in triplets: II. Gestational age-related patterns of neonatal weights and lengths
- The ponderal index in triplets: III. Association with birth weight discordance
- The ponderal index in triplets: IV. Relationship with maternal height
- Intratracheal albumin reduces interleukin-8 in tracheobronchial aspirates in piglets after meconium aspiration
- The pulmonary paradox in premature infants: in-utero infected lungs do better than those with accelerated maturation
- Congenital syphilis: unique clinical presentation in three preterm newborns
- Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome complicated by spontaneous mid-trimester uterine rupture
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension in a premature newborn after 16 hours of antenatal indomethacin exposure
- Congress Calendar
- Roster of Perinatal Societies
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- The role of ultrasonography in recognizing the cause of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly
- A kick from within – fetal movement counting and the cancelled progress in antenatal care
- DNA microarrays detect the expression of apoptosis-related genes in preeclamptic placentas
- Indicated labor induction with vaginal prostaglandin E2 increases the risk of cesarean section even in multiparous women with no previous cesarean section
- Cervical immunoglobulin A and altered vaginal flora in pregnant women with threatened preter delivery
- Multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes
- Implication of cord blood myeloperoxidase but of soluble p-selectin levels in preterm deliveries
- Fetal and early postnatal magnetic resonance imaging – is there a difference?
- Bone turnover markers and bone strength during the first weeks of life in very low birth weight premature infants
- The ponderal index in triplets: I. Relationship to small for gestational age neonates
- The ponderal index in triplets: II. Gestational age-related patterns of neonatal weights and lengths
- The ponderal index in triplets: III. Association with birth weight discordance
- The ponderal index in triplets: IV. Relationship with maternal height
- Intratracheal albumin reduces interleukin-8 in tracheobronchial aspirates in piglets after meconium aspiration
- The pulmonary paradox in premature infants: in-utero infected lungs do better than those with accelerated maturation
- Congenital syphilis: unique clinical presentation in three preterm newborns
- Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome complicated by spontaneous mid-trimester uterine rupture
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension in a premature newborn after 16 hours of antenatal indomethacin exposure
- Congress Calendar
- Roster of Perinatal Societies
