Impact of Maternal Obesity and Mobile Phone Use on Fetal Cardiotocography Pattern

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The fetal heart rate (FHR) is a good marker of fetal well-being during labour. Cardiotocography is used to record the FHR and uterine contractions and can detect possible fetal hypoxia. Mobile phones use, and obesity is suggested to influence the FHR and cardiovascular development.

AIM: The present study aimed to study the differences in FHR pattern between fetuses of obese vs non-obese groups when using a mobile phone.

METHODS: We conducted a clinical trial to test the impact of mobile phone use on FHR using a single mobile phone with Specific Absorption Rate rating of 0.99 W/kg for 10 minutes. Data from this clinical trial were analysed to compare the FHR pattern between fetuses of obese women (exposed group) vs those of non-obese women (control group). The two study groups (obese vs non-obese) were compared regarding four FHR patterns: baseline FHR, variability, acceleration and deceleration scores. Data were analysed by SPSS software version 23.0 using the independent-samples t-tests.

RESULTS: Sixty-nine women were included in the final analysis (obese group: n = 22 and non-obese group: n = 47). Fetuses of the obese women had significantly higher baseline FHR and less FHR variability scores when compared with fetuses of the non-obese women (mean difference 2.9 and 3.18, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Fetuses of obese women had abnormal FHR pattern compared with fetuses of non-obese women. The use of mobile phone slightly influenced the FHR variability score. These results highlight the importance of proper management of obesity in women within the childbearing period.