Why 4D ultrasound has not (yet) revolutionized fetal movement research

AbstractAim:To assess the frequency of fetal movement and reproducibility of fetal movement counting in normal singleton pregnancies early in the second trimester using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound.Methods:Twenty-nine singleton pregnancies were studied for 15 min employing 4D ultrasound at 14–16 (19 cases) and 17–19 (10 cases) weeks of gestation. The frequencies of eight fetal movements (head anteflexion, head retroflexion, body rotation, hand to face movement, general movement, isolated arm movement, isolated leg movement and mouthing movement) were evaluated.Results:The most frequent fetal movements were isolated arm movements at 14–16 and 17–19 weeks’ gestation. There was a significant difference only in the frequency of mouthing movement between 14–16 and 17–19 weeks’ gestation (PConclusion:The difference in the frequency of mouthing movement at 14–16 and 17–19 weeks’ gestation may be due to increasing fetal swallowing because of the increasing amniotic fluid early in the second trimester of pregnancy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the reproducibility assessment of fetal movement counting using 4D ultrasound. However, the data and their interpretation in the present study should be taken with some degree of caution because of the small number of subjects studied. Further studies involving a larger sample size are needed to assess the reproducibility of fetal movement counting using 4D ultrasound.

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Does Parity have an Effect on Fetal Behavior? A Comparison between Primi- and Multiparas

Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1448 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 99-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hanaoka Uiko ◽

AboEllail Mohamed Ahmed Mostafa ◽

Uematsu Rina ◽

Noguchi Junko ◽

Kusaka Takashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Obstet Gynecol ◽

Fetal Brain ◽

Fetal Movement ◽

The Other ◽

System Function ◽

Dopamine System ◽

4D Ultrasound ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Multiparous Women

ABSTRACT Aim To evaluate the effect of parity on fetal behavior between primi- and multiparas. Materials and methods Fetal behavior was assesed by Kurjak's antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation. Forty-four primiparous and 61 multiparous women were studied. The total value of the KANET score and values of each parameter (8 parameters) were compared Results The total KANET score was normal in both groups except for in only one case in the multiparous group (total KANET score of 9), and there was no significant difference in the total KANET score. When individual KANET parameters were compared, we found a significant difference in only one fetal movement, isolated eye blinking, between fetuses of primiparas (median, 2; range, 0–2) and multiparas (median, 1; range, 0–2) (p < 0.040). No significant differences were noted in the other seven parameters. Conclusion Our results suggest that the level of relaxation of pregnant women may affect fetal behavior, particularly the rate of eye blinking. A relaxed state of primiparas may promote the maturation of the fetal brain, especially the central dopamine system function How to cite this article Hata T, Hanaoka U, AboEllail MAM, Uematsu R, Noguchi J, Kusaka T, Kurjak A. Does Parity have an Effect on Fetal Behavior? A Comparison between Primiand Multiparas. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016;10(1):99-102.

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Target tracking accuracy and latency with different 4D ultrasound systems – a robotic phantom study

Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering ◽

10.1515/cdbme-2020-0038 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Svenja Ipsen ◽

Sven Böttger ◽

Holger Schwegmann ◽

Floris Ernst

Keyword(s):

Target Tracking ◽

Real Time ◽

Template Matching ◽

Image Data ◽

Distinct Advantage ◽

Reference Trajectory ◽

Data Streaming ◽

Tracking Accuracy ◽

Time Data ◽

4D Ultrasound

AbstractUltrasound (US) imaging, in contrast to other image guidance techniques, offers the distinct advantage of providing volumetric image data in real-time (4D) without using ionizing radiation. The goal of this study was to perform the first quantitative comparison of three different 4D US systems with fast matrix array probes and real-time data streaming regarding their target tracking accuracy and system latency. Sinusoidal motion of varying amplitudes and frequencies was used to simulate breathing motion with a robotic arm and a static US phantom. US volumes and robot positions were acquired online and stored for retrospective analysis. A template matching approach was used for target localization in the US data. Target motion measured in US was compared to the reference trajectory performed by the robot to determine localization accuracy and system latency. Using the robotic setup, all investigated 4D US systems could detect a moving target with sub-millimeter accuracy. However, especially high system latency increased tracking errors substantially and should be compensated with prediction algorithms for respiratory motion compensation.

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Fetal movement counting is associated with the reduction of delayed maternal reaction after perceiving decreased fetal movements: a prospective study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90240-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shigeki Koshida ◽

Shinsuke Tokoro ◽

Daisuke Katsura ◽

Shunichiro Tsuji ◽

Takashi Murakami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Maternal Behavior ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Perinatal Outcomes ◽

Fetal Movement ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Fetal Movements ◽

Adverse Perinatal Outcomes ◽

The Impact ◽

Maternal Reaction

AbstractMaternal perception of decreased fetal movement is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Although there have been several studies on interventions related to the fetal movements count, most focused on adverse perinatal outcomes, and little is known about the impact of the fetal movement count on maternal behavior after the perception of decreased fetal movement. We investigated the impact of the daily fetal movement count on maternal behavior after the perception of decreased fetal movement and on the stillbirth rate in this prospective population-based study. Pregnant women in Shiga prefecture of Japan were asked to count the time of 10 fetal movements from 34 weeks of gestation. We analyzed 101 stillbirths after the intervention compared to 121 stillbirths before the intervention. In multivariable analysis, maternal delayed visit to a health care provider after the perception of decreased fetal movement significantly reduced after the intervention (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11–0.83). Our regional stillbirth rates in the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods were 3.06 and 2.70 per 1000 births, respectively. Informing pregnant women about the fetal movement count was associated with a reduction in delayed maternal reaction after the perception of decreased fetal movement, which might reduce stillbirths.

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Non Invasive Wearable Device for Fetal Movement Detection

2020 IEEE 15th International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS) ◽

10.1109/iciis51140.2020.9342662 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

U.H. Delay ◽

B.M.T.M. Nawarathne ◽

D.W.S.V.B. Dissanayake ◽

M.P.B. Ekanayake ◽

G.M.R.I. Godaliyadda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fetal Movement ◽

Wearable Device ◽

Movement Detection ◽

Non Invasive

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P23.04: 4D ultrasound of tongue movements during breast-feeding-would the findings lead to prenatal studies?

Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1002/uog.9891 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (S1) ◽

pp. 245-246

Author(s):

J. Deng ◽

P. Burton ◽

D. McDonald ◽

R. Yates ◽

M. Fewtrell

Keyword(s):

Breast Feeding ◽

4D Ultrasound ◽

Tongue Movements

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Diagnostic Ultrasound Safety

Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1353 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 178-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kazuo Maeda

Keyword(s):

Obstet Gynecol ◽

Physical Property ◽

Diagnostic Ultrasound ◽

Mechanical Effect ◽

Mechanical Index ◽

Pulsed Doppler ◽

Output Intensity ◽

Thermal Index ◽

4D Ultrasound ◽

Pulsed Doppler Ultrasound

ABSTRACT Ultrasound bioeffect is discussed from its physical property, i.e. thermal effect by thermal index, mechanical effect by mechanical index, and by the output intensity of ultrasound. Generally, thermal and mechanical indices should be lower than 1 in obstetrical setting, and threshold output intensity of no bioeffect is lower than SPTA 240 mW/cm2 in pulse wave. Pulsed Doppler ultrasound thermal and mechanical indices should be also lower than 1, and should be carefully used it in 11 to 13+6 weeks of pregnancy. Real-time B-mode, transvaginal scan, pulsed Doppler, 3D and 4D ultrasound were separately discussed in the ultrasound safety. Generally diagnostic ultrasound is safe for the fetus and embryo, if thermal and mechanical indices are lower than 1, and ultrasound devices are safe, if it is used under official limitation, e.g. the output intensity is less than SPTA 10 mW/cm2 in Japan. The ultrasound user is responsible ultrasound safety, e.g. higher thermal and mechanical indices than 1 should be lowered to be lower than 1, controlling the device output intensity. The user should learn bioeffects of ultrasound and prudent use of ultrasound under the ALARA principle. How to cite this article Maeda K, Kurjak A. Diagnostic Ultrasound Safety. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014;8(2):178-183.

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