The potential of 4D sonography in the assessment of fetal behavior in high-risk pregnancies

Abstract

Objective. To assess differences of fetal behavior in normal and high-risk pregnancies.

Methods. In the 1-year period (1 January 2007–31 December 2007), four-dimensional ultrasound has been used to assess Kurjak antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) in low- and high-risk pregnancies after randomization in prospective longitudinal cohort study. Based on the KANET scores, the fetuses were considered as normal (≥14 points), borderline (6–13), or abnormal (0–5).

Results. Comparison of KANET scores in low- and high-risk pregnancies were expectedly statistically significant. The largest incidence of fetuses with abnormal KANET was in the group of fetuses who had siblings with cerebral palsy. The largest incidence of the borderline KANET has been found in the group of fetuses whose mothers had fever during pregnancy. The following parameters of KANET test significantly differed between the fetuses from low- and high-risk pregnancies: overlapping cranial sutures, head circumference, isolated eye blinking, facial expressions, mouth movements, isolated hand movements, isolated leg movements, hand to face movement, finger movements, and general movements.

Conclusion. KANET test has the potential to detect and discriminate normal from borderline and abnormal fetal behavior in normal and in high-risk pregnancies.

Keywords:

• Four-dimensional ultrasound
• fetus
• behavior assessment
• high-risk pregnancy
• neurologic deficit

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Paško Konjevoda for a valuable assistance in statistical analysis.