Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the differences in linear and complex heart rate dynamics in twin pairs according to fetal sex combination [male-female (MF), male-male (MM), and female-female (FF)].
Methods: Fourteen twin pairs (6 MF, 3 MM, and 5 FF) were monitored between 31 and 36.4 weeks of gestation. Twenty-six fetal heart rate (FHR) recordings of both twins were simultaneously acquired and analyzed with a system for computerized analysis of cardiotocograms. Linear and nonlinear FHR indices were calculated.
Results: Overall, MM twins presented higher intrapair average in linear indices than the other pairs, whereas FF twins showed higher sympathetic-vagal balance. MF twins exhibited higher intrapair average in entropy indices and MM twins presented lower entropy values than FF twins considering the (automatically selected) threshold rLu. MM twin pairs showed higher intrapair differences in linear heart rate indices than MF and FF twins, whereas FF twins exhibited lower intrapair differences in entropy indices.
Conclusions: The results of this exploratory study suggest that twins have sex-specific differences in linear and nonlinear indices of FHR. MM twins expressed signs of a more active autonomic nervous system and MF twins showed the most active complexity control system. These results suggest that fetal sex combination should be taken into consideration when performing detailed evaluation of the FHR in twins.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a grant (SFRH/BD/40146/2007) to the first author from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. Hernâni Gonçalves is financed by a postdoctoral grant (SFRH/BPD/69671/2010) from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal.
References
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©2015 by De Gruyter
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Academy’s Corner
- Obstetrical Doppler: the evidence today
- Review article
- Fetal complications due to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
- Original articles – Obstetrics
- Pre-pregnancy obesity compromises obstetric and neonatal outcomes
- Novel application of three-dimensional HDlive imaging in prenatal diagnosis from the first trimester
- Placental gene expression of inflammatory markers and growth factors – a case control study of obese and normal weight women
- Haemorrhagic and thrombotic complications in pregnant women with acquired and congenital cardiac disease
- Intrapartum ultrasound prior to Kristeller maneuver: an observational study
- Interinstitutional variations in mode of birth after a previous caesarean section: a cross-sectional study in six German hospitals
- Use of the angle of progression on ultrasonography to predict spontaneous onset of labor within 7 days
- Study of the relationship in pregnant women between hepatitis B markers and a placenta positive for hepatitis B surface antigen
- Sarcoidosis and pregnancy: obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in a population-based cohort of 7 million births
- Original articles – Fetus
- MR imaging of the fetal brain at 1.5T and 3.0T field strengths: comparing specific absorption rate (SAR) and image quality
- Sex differences in the fetal heart rate variability indices of twins
- Original articles – Newborn
- Correlation of neonatal weight with maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A during the first trimester of pregnancy: a retrospective study
- Antenatal testing in uncomplicated pregnancies: should testing be initiated after 40 or 41 weeks?
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- Commentary
- Thrombophilia testing in pregnancy: should we agree to disagree?
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Academy’s Corner
- Obstetrical Doppler: the evidence today
- Review article
- Fetal complications due to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
- Original articles – Obstetrics
- Pre-pregnancy obesity compromises obstetric and neonatal outcomes
- Novel application of three-dimensional HDlive imaging in prenatal diagnosis from the first trimester
- Placental gene expression of inflammatory markers and growth factors – a case control study of obese and normal weight women
- Haemorrhagic and thrombotic complications in pregnant women with acquired and congenital cardiac disease
- Intrapartum ultrasound prior to Kristeller maneuver: an observational study
- Interinstitutional variations in mode of birth after a previous caesarean section: a cross-sectional study in six German hospitals
- Use of the angle of progression on ultrasonography to predict spontaneous onset of labor within 7 days
- Study of the relationship in pregnant women between hepatitis B markers and a placenta positive for hepatitis B surface antigen
- Sarcoidosis and pregnancy: obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in a population-based cohort of 7 million births
- Original articles – Fetus
- MR imaging of the fetal brain at 1.5T and 3.0T field strengths: comparing specific absorption rate (SAR) and image quality
- Sex differences in the fetal heart rate variability indices of twins
- Original articles – Newborn
- Correlation of neonatal weight with maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A during the first trimester of pregnancy: a retrospective study
- Antenatal testing in uncomplicated pregnancies: should testing be initiated after 40 or 41 weeks?
- Low total IgM values and high cytomegalovirus loads in the blood of newborns with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection
- Associated anomalies in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: perinatal characteristics and impact on postnatal survival
- The value of lipopolysaccharide binding protein for diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis in very low birth weight infants
- Is there a stepwise increase in neonatal morbidities according to histological stage (or grade) of acute chorioamnionitis and funisitis?: effect of gestational age at delivery
- Commentary
- Thrombophilia testing in pregnancy: should we agree to disagree?
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar