Relationship between Fetal Heart Rate, Cardiac Index and Maternal Blood Pressure in Second Trimester of Pregnancy between 14 to 20 Weeks of Gestation in Yobe State Specialist Hospital Damaturu
I. A. Bukar *
Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria.
S. A. Ibrahim
Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
D. G. Mahdi
Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
I. U. Yarube
Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between fetal heart rate, fetal cardiac index and maternal blood pressure at 14-20 weeks of gestation among antenatal clients attending Yobe state specialist hospital, Damaturu.
Study Design: The study is a cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Yobe State specialist hospital Damaturu between June 2021 and November 2021.
Methodology: The samples were selected using a purposive sampling method where 150 pregnant women were selected, and group into three categories (hypertensive, hypotensive and normotensive). Subjects undergo ultrasound scan imaging. The data was analyzed using software program SPSS statistical package (IBM Corp. IBM SPSS Statistics for Macintosh, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY, USA).
Results: A statistically significant relationship was observed between maternal blood pressure and fetal heart rate (p=0.000), but no significant relationship observed between maternal blood pressure and fetal cardiac index (p=0.476), and also between maternal age and the fetal heart rate (p=0.533) or between maternal age and fetal cardiac index (p=0.528).
Conclusion: Fetal heart rate has shown a significant correlation with maternal blood pressure. Thus maternal blood pressure changes can serve as a highly valuable parameter in providing vital information on fetal condition during pregnancy
Keywords: Fetal heart rate, cardiac index, maternal blood pressure, maternal age, obstetrics ultrasound scan, hypertensive, hypotensive, normotensive