The development of ultradian rhythms in the human fetus
Abstract
Objective Our objective was to determine the normal sequence of neurobehavioral development in the human fetus between 14 weeks' gestation and delivery.Study design The study was performed by longitudinal ultrasonographic observation of 45 low-risk singleton fetuses.Results During the first half of the midtrimester there was a high rate of spontaneous movement that appeared randomly distributed. By the end of that trimester an increase in the duration of intervals of quiescence resulted in activity appearing cyclically distributed, with the duration of quiet cycles progressively increasing to term. Fetal mouthing and breathing were linked with cyclic behavior from the time of their emergence. Fetal heart rate pattern A could be recognized from around 32 weeks, due to a reduction in baseline variability in quiet cycles after 30 weeks, whereas pattern B could be recognized several weeks earlier. From the time cyclic behavior and heart rate patterns could be recognized, intervals of coincidence of the fetal behavioral state variables increased progressively with advancing gestation.
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Fetal ultradian rhythms exist.
“Fetal URs are understudied but do exist77”
From Maternal and Early-Life Circadian Disruption Have Long-Lasting Negative Consequences on Offspring Development and Adult Behavior in Mice (2017) · cites this paper as [77]
Cites
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- Authors
- Pillai, M., James, D. K., & Parker, M.
- Corresponding author
- Pillai, Mary
- Venue
- American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1992-07
- Volume
- 167
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 172-177
- ISSN
- 0002-9378 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2080849572
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Fetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders
- Keywords
- ultradian rhythms, fetal development, fetal movement, fetal heart rate patterns, fetal breathing movements, fetal behavior, gestational age
- MeSH terms
- Activity Cycles, Behavior, Eye Movements, Female, Fetal Movement, Fetus, Gestational Age, Heart Rate, Fetal, Humans, Mouth, Pregnancy, Respiration, Ultrasonography, Prenatal
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