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Cited by 808Sleep and Wakefulness ResearchInfant Development and Preterm CareNeonatal and fetal brain pathology

Are there behavioural states in the human fetus?

Nijhuis, J.G., Prechtl, H.F.R., Martin, C.B., Bots, R.S.G.M.·1982·Early Human Development
DOI 10.1016/0378-3782(82)90106-2
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to search for the existence of behavioural states in the human fetus and to describe their developmental course. In a longitudinal study, 14 low-risk fetuses were studied at 2-week intervals from 32 weeks of gestation onward. Fetal body movements as well as fetal eye movements, visualized by means of real-time ultrasonic imaging, and fetal heart rate patterns, recorded by means of a cardiotocograph, were used as state variables. At 38 and 40 weeks, four distinct behavioural states, named states 1F through 4F and corresponding respectively to states 1 through 4 of the neonate, could be identified. That these constellations of parameters represented true behavioural states was demonstrated by the stability of association of parameters for prolonged periods and by the simultaneity of change of parameters at state transitions. There is evidence for episodes of wakefulness in the fetus. Before 36 weeks, cycles were present in each of the state variables and combinations of parameters typical of particular states were observed. However, the relatively short durations of these combinations and the lack of simultaneity of change in the three state variables support the conclusion that these periods of coincidence occurred by chance and did not represent organized behavioural states.

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  • Fetuses of smokers show more maladaptive responses to the non-stress test, lower heart rate variability, more mouth and self-touch movements, and poorer recognition of maternal voice than fetuses of nonsmokers.

    “found greater rates of maladaptive response to the non-stress test (a clinical index of fetal well-being)(96), including reduced heart rate variability, increased mouth and self-touch movements, and impaired recognition of maternal voice in fetuses of smokers compared with those of nonsmokers.”

    From Developmental toxicity of nicotine: A transdisciplinary synthesis and implications for emerging tobacco products (2017) · cites this paper as [92]

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Authors
Nijhuis, J. G., Prechtl, H. F. R., Martin, C. B., & Bots, R. S. G. M.
Affiliations
  • Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
  • University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
  • Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis (NL)
Corresponding author
Prechtl, H.F.R.
ORCID
Nijhuis, J.G.
Venue
Early Human Development
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1982-04
Volume
6
Issue
2
Pages
177-195
ISSN
0378-3782 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/0378-3782(82)90106-2
OpenAlex
W2106490849
Cited by
808
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 13
FWCI
10.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Early Human Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
Keywords
fetal movement, fetal eye movements, fetal heart rate patterns, fetal development, state transitions
MeSH terms
Activity Cycles, Eye Movements, Female, Fetal Heart, Fetus, Gestational Age, Heart Rate, Humans, Movement, Pregnancy, Ultrasonography

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