Early heart rate variability changes during acute fetal inflammatory response syndrome: An experimental study in a fetal sheep model.

Abstract

IntroductionFetal infection during labor with fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, neonatal sepsis, and mortality. Current methods to diagnose FIRS are inadequate. Thus, the study aim was to explore whether fetal heart rate variability (HRV) analysis can be used to detect FIRS.Material and methodsIn chronically instrumented near-term fetal sheep, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected intravenously to model FIRS. A control group received saline solution injection. Hemodynamic, blood gas analysis, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and 14 HRV indices were recorded for 6 h. In both groups, comparisons were made between the stability phase and the 6 h following injection (H1-H6, respectively) and between LPS and control groups.ResultsFifteen lambs were instrumented. In the LPS group (n = 8), IL-6 increased significantly after LPS injection (p ConclusionAs significant HRV changes were detected before FHR increase, these indices may be valuable for early detection of acute FIRS.