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Pattern of fetal heart rate changes on non-stress test in antenatal women with COVID-19 and their association with inflammatory markers
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Lakshmi Devi   , Swathi Aswath Reddy *  , Ranjitha Venkatachalaiah , Sheela Jayaprakash |
| Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ragjiv Gandhi University, East Point College of Medical Sciences, India |
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Abstract: (222 Views) |
Background: Limited evidence exists on the effects of maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns and their relationship with inflammatory markers. Understanding the fetal response to maternal inflammation is essential for optimizing antenatal surveillance in infected pregnancies. This study aimed to evaluate FHR changes on nonstress test (NST) in pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 and to assess their association with maternal inflammatory markers.
Methods: This descriptive observational study included 64 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and gestational age ≥32 weeks. NST were performed on the day of admission. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including inflammatory markers (LDH, D-dimer, ferritin, CRP, and WBC count), were collected and analyzed.
Results: The mean baseline FHR was 150 bpm. Accelerations and normal beat-to-beat variability (>5 bpm) were observed in 63 women (98.4%), while one woman (1.6%) exhibited absent accelerations, reduced variability (<5 bpm), and recurrent decelerations to 90 bpm, corresponding to a non-reactive NST. Overall, 63 NST (98.4%) were reactive and one (1.6%) non-reactive. This non-reactive NST occurred in a patient with elevated D-dimer but normal WBC and ferritin levels. Statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between abnormal inflammatory markers and NST outcomes.
Conclusion: Despite frequent alterations in maternal inflammatory markers during COVID-19 infection, fetal well-being as assessed by NST is generally preserved. Maternal COVID-19, including mild-to-moderate inflammatory changes or hypercoagulable states, does not appear to significantly affect NST parameters. |
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| Keywords: COVID-19, D-dimer, Fetal Heart Rate, Inflammatory Markers, Non-Stress Test |
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Full-Text [PDF 634 kb]
(77 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Reproductive Health
Received: 2025/07/11 | Accepted: 2025/08/27 | Published: 2025/08/31
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