Analysis of maternal–fetal heart rate coupling directions with partial directed coherence. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khandoker, Ahsan H.; Marzbanrad, Faezeh; Voss, Andreas; Schulz, Steffen; Kimura, Yoshitaka; Endo, Miyuki; Palaniswami, Marimuthu
• Is Part Of: Biomedical signal processing and control. Volume 30(2016)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Fetal electrocardiogram -- Fetal heart rate variability -- Partial directed coherence -- Fetal autonomic nervous system -- Coupling analyses; Signal processing -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted -- Periodicals; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted -- Periodicals; Biomedical Engineering -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2016.06.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-8094

Abstract

Abstract: Maternal psycho-physiological activities affect the fetal heart rate and heart rate variability. However, directions and patterns of maternal and fetal heartbeat coupling are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to quantify the direction of short-term maternal–fetal cardiac coupling in early, mid and late gestation fetuses by using partial directed coherence (PDC) analysis approach. The analysis was based on fetal electrocardiograms (fECGs) of 66 healthy fetuses; 22 from early gestation 16–25 weeks, 22 from mid gestation 26–30 weeks and 22 from late gestation 32–41 weeks. Results of analyzing PDC demonstrated a causal influence of fetal on maternal heart rate in the early gestation, while it significantly decreased from early to mid gestation along with a significant increase of maternal to fetal coupling strength. The causal influence of maternal on fetal heart rate was the strongest in the mid gestation and remained dominant in the late gestation. In conclusion, the application of PDC revealed detailed information about short-term maternal–fetal cardiac couplings and regulatory mechanisms (patterns) of developing autonomic nervous system function.