II. Definitions

  1. Fetal Bradycardia
    1. Fetal Heart Rate under 110 bpm

III. Causes: General

  1. Maternal Causes
    1. Excessive Vagal Stimulation
    2. Maternal Hypoglycemia
    3. Maternal Hypotension
    4. Maternal Hypothermia
  2. Fetal Causes
    1. Fetal Congenital Heart Disease
    2. Fetal cord compression
    3. Fetal Hypoxia
    4. Post-term infant >42 weeks
    5. Occiput PosteriorFetal Position

IV. Causes: By Severity

  1. Mild Fetal Bradycardia (Fetal Heart Rate 100-110 bpm)
    1. Benign if adequate variability and no decelerations
  2. Transient Fetal Bradycardia (FHR < 100 bpm)
    1. Fetal Heart Block or other conduction defects
    2. Maternal Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
    3. Congenital Heart Disease
  3. Prolonged Fetal Bradycardia (FHR < 100 bpm)
    1. Severe Fetal Hypoxia

V. References

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