Fetal Breathing Movements and Ultrasound FREE

HAROLD E. Fox, MD

Am J Dis Child. 1976;130(2):127-129. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1976.02120030017002.

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ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT | REFERENCES

The occurrence and significance of fetal breathing movements have been debated over the past 80 years. Ahlfeld's¹ observations of maternal abdominal wall movement, felt to be representative of fetal breathing movements, were apparently disbelieved by his colleagues in the late 19th century. Throughout the years, fetal breathing movements have been observed in many species at cesarean section and were attributed to external or asphyxial stimuli.² In the recent past, techniques of catheter placement and blood gas determinations have made possible evaluation of the status of the fetus engaged in breathing activity. A number of investigators involved in the study of fetal physiology have made prolonged and detailed observations of the fetus (especially the fetal lamb) in the exteriorized preparation, with the body temperature maintained and the umbilical circulation intact. If nonasphyxial fetal breathing occurred, it would seem that it would have been noted.³

Sir Joseph Barcroft⁴

REFERENCES

ABSTRACT | REFERENCES

Ahlfeld F: Ueber bisher noch nicht beschriebene intrauterine Bewegungen des Kindes . Verh Dtsch Ges Gynaekol 2:203-209, 1888;.

Windle WF: Physiology of the Fetus: Origin and Extent of Function in Prenatal Life . Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co, 1940;.

Dawes GS: Breathing and rapid-eye-movement sleep before birth , in Comline KS, Cross KW, Dawes GS, et al (eds): Foetal and Neonatal Physiology . New York, Cambridge University Press, 1973;, p 49.

Barcroft J: Researches on Prenatal Life . Oxford, Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1946;, pp 260-276.

Dawes GS, Fox HE, Leduc BM, et al: Respiratory movements and paradoxical sleep in the foetal lamb . J Physiol 210:47P-48P, 1970;.

Dawes GS, Fox HE, Leduc BM, et al: Respiratory movements and rapid eye movement sleep in the foetal lamb . J Physiol 220:119-143, 1972;.

Dawes GS, Fox HE, Richards RT: Variations in asphyxial gasping with fetal age in lambs and guinea-pigs . Q J Exp Physiol 57:131-138, 1972;.

Merlet C, Hoerter J, Devilleneuve C, et al: Mise en évidence de mouvements respiratoires chez le foetus d'agneau in utero au cours du dernier mois de la gestation . CR Acad Sci 270:2462-2464, 1970;.

Martin CB, Murata Y, Petrie RH, et al: Respiratory movements in fetal rhesus monkeys . Am J Obstet Gynecol 119:939-948, 1974;.

Boddy K, Dawes GS, Robinson JS: A 24-hour rhythm in the foetus , in Comline KS, Cross KW, Dawes GS, et al (eds): Foetal and Neonatal Physiology . New York, Cambridge University Press, 1973;, pp 63-66.

Boddy K, Dawes GS, Robinson JS: Intrauterine fetal breathing movements , in Gluck L (ed): Modern Perinatal Medicine . Chicago, Year Book Medical Publishers, 1974;, pp 381-390.

Martin CB, Murata Y, Ikenoue T: Lack of effect of hypo- and hyperglycemia on breathing movements in fetal rhesus monkeys . Gynecol Invest 6:68, 1975;.

Martin CB, Murata Y, Ikenoue T, et al: Effect of alterations on Po2 and Pco2 on fetal breathing movements in rhesus monkeys . Gynecol Invest 6:74, 1975;.

Boddy K, Robinson JS: External method for detection of fetal breathing in utero . Lancet 2:1231-1233, 1971;.

Boddy K, Dawes GS: Fetal breathing . Br Med Bull 31:3-7, 1975;.

Parmelee AH, Stern E, Harris MA: Maturation of respiration in prematures and young infants . Neuropaediatrie 3:294-304, 1972;.

Farman DJ, Thomas G: The use of ultrasound for monitoring foetal breathing movements . Biomed Eng , 1975;, pp 172-174.

Liley AW: The foetus as a personality . Aust NZ J Psychiatry 6:99-105, 1972;.

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