Sensors for Fetal Hypoxia and Metabolic Acidosis: A Review

Gerard Cummins; Jessica Kremer; Anne Bernassau; Andrew Brown; Helen  L. Bridle; Holger Schulze; Till  T. Bachmann; Michael Crichton; Fiona  C. Denison; Marc  P. Y. Desmulliez

doi:10.3390/s18082648

Sensors (Aug 2018)

Sensors for Fetal Hypoxia and Metabolic Acidosis: A Review

Gerard Cummins,
Jessica Kremer,
Anne Bernassau,
Andrew Brown,
Helen L. Bridle,
Holger Schulze,
Till T. Bachmann,
Michael Crichton,
Fiona C. Denison,
Marc P. Y. Desmulliez

Affiliations

Gerard Cummins: Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK
Jessica Kremer: Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK
Anne Bernassau: Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK
Andrew Brown: MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
Helen L. Bridle: Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK
Holger Schulze: Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, Edinburgh Medical School, The Chancellor’s Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK
Till T. Bachmann: Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, Edinburgh Medical School, The Chancellor’s Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK
Michael Crichton: Institute of Mechanical, Processing and Energy Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK
Fiona C. Denison: MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
Marc P. Y. Desmulliez: Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s18082648
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 18, no. 8
p. 2648

Abstract

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This article reviews existing clinical practices and sensor research undertaken to monitor fetal well-being during labour. Current clinical practices that include fetal heart rate monitoring and fetal scalp blood sampling are shown to be either inadequate or time-consuming. Monitoring of lactate in blood is identified as a potential alternative for intrapartum fetal monitoring due to its ability to distinguish between different types of acidosis. A literature review from a medical and technical perspective is presented to identify the current advancements in the field of lactate sensors for this application. It is concluded that a less invasive and a more continuous monitoring device is required to fulfill the clinical needs of intrapartum fetal monitoring. Potential specifications for such a system are also presented in this paper.

Published in Sensors

ISSN: 1424-8220 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors

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