Publications [#347336] of Hau-Tieng Wu

Papers Published

1. Lobmaier, SM; Müller, A; Zelgert, C; Shen, C; Su, PC; Schmidt, G; Haller, B; Berg, G; Fabre, B; Weyrich, J; Wu, HT; Frasch, MG; Antonelli, MC, Fetal heart rate variability responsiveness to maternal stress, non-invasively detected from maternal transabdominal ECG., Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, vol. 301 no. 2 (February, 2020), pp. 405-414 [doi]
   (last updated on 2024/04/24)

   Abstract:
   

   Purpose

   Prenatal stress (PS) during pregnancy affects in utero- and postnatal child brain-development. Key systems affected are the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Maternal- and fetal ANS activity can be gauged non-invasively from transabdominal electrocardiogram (taECG). We propose a novel approach to assess couplings between maternal (mHR) and fetal heart rate (fHR) as a new biomarker for PS based on bivariate phase-rectified signal averaging (BPRSA). We hypothesized that PS exerts lasting impact on fHR.

   Methods

   Prospective case-control study matched for maternal age, parity, and gestational age during the third trimester using the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire with PSS-10 over or equal 19 classified as stress group (SG). Women with PSS-10 < 19 served as control group (CG). Fetal electrocardiograms were recorded by a taECG. Coupling between mHR and fHR was analyzed by BPRSA resulting in fetal stress index (FSI). Maternal hair cortisol, a memory of chronic stress exposure for 2-3 months, was measured at birth.

   Results

   538/1500 pregnant women returned the questionnaire, 55/538 (10.2%) mother-child pairs formed SG and were matched with 55/449 (12.2%) consecutive patients as CG. Maternal hair cortisol was 86.6 (48.0-169.2) versus 53.0 (34.4-105.9) pg/mg (p = 0.029). At 36 + 5 weeks, FSI was significantly higher in fetuses of stressed mothers when compared to controls [0.43 (0.18-0.85) versus 0.00 (- 0.49-0.18), p < 0.001].

   Conclusion

   Prenatal maternal stress affects the coupling between maternal and fetal heart rate detectable non-invasively a month prior to birth. Lasting effects on neurodevelopment of affected offspring should be studied.

   Trial registration

   Clinical trial registration: NCT03389178.