An advanced method in fetal phonocardiography

Non Invasive Foetal Monitoring with a Combined ECG - PCG System

“…The foetal heart rate (FHR) is currently monitored for routine ante partum surveillance in clinical practise (Babbitt, 1996) and it is thought to be an indicator of a correctly functioning nervous system (Baser et al 1992). FHR analysis as a means of monitoring foetal status has become widely accepted and continuous FHR monitoring should be recommended, particularly for high-risk pregnancies (Kovacs et al, 2000;Moghavvemi et al, 2003;Varady et al, 2003). There are two situations for which FHR provides important information about the condition of the foetus.…”

“…In addition, FHR is the only parameter obtained by CTG and some pathologies and anomalies of cardiac functionality are not detectable from the FHR alone. Research has shown that a global assessment of morphological and temporal parameters of the FECG or FPCG during gestation can provide further information about the well-being of the foetus (Martenset al, 2007;Varady et al, 2003;Kovacs et al, 2000;Hany & Dripps, 1989).…”

“…This could be a significant contribution to the pressing clinical problem faced by some abortions and preterm babies. FPCG records foetal heart sounds using a passive, non-invasive and low cost acoustic sensor (Varady et al, 2003;Kovacs et al, 2000;Hany & Dripps, 1989). This signal can be captured by placing a small acoustic sensor on mother's abdomen and, if appropriately recorded, is very useful in providing clinical indication.…”

“…In fact, there is a remarkable mismatch between ability to examine a foetus in a clinical setting, and the almost complete absence of technology that permits longer term monitoring of a foetus at home. Therefore, in the last years, many efforts (Hany et al, 1989;Jimenez et al, 1999;Kovacs et al, 2000;Mittra et al, 2008;Moghavvemi et al, 2003;Nagal, 1986;Ruffo et al, 2010;Talbert et al, 1986;Varady et al, 2003) have been attempted by the scientific community to find a suitable alternative. The development of new electronic systems and sensors now offers the potential of effective monitoring of the foetus using foetal phonocardiography (FPCG) and foetal electrocardiography (FECG) with passive, fully non-invasive low cost digital recording systems that could be suitable for home monitoring.…”

Prenatal Telemedicine – Advances in Fetal Monitoring

“…Fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) and electroencephalogram (fEEG) can be used to investigate the general wellbeing and the brain development. The current clinical methods are mainly based on the fetal heart rate variability (fHRV) analysis (Kovacs et al, 2000;Varady et al, 2003;Horvath et al, 2007). Currently, the noninvasive cardiotocographic technique is the standard clinical approach because its use is possible during both pregnancy and labor.…”