SINUSOIDAL FETAL HEART-RATE PATTERN AND SEVERE FETAL ANEMIA

Abstract

A case was described of a sinusoidal fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern encountered in a human fetus at 34 wk gestation during antepartum fetal stress testing because of maternal hypertension. Delivery of the fetus was accomplished and the newborn was severely anemic and hypotensive due to a massive fetomaternal transfusion. Some pathophysiologic mechanisms were suggested and the clinical significance of this finding was discussed.