Neonatal heart rate reactivity following variable decelerations during labor.

ABSTRACT

The instantaneous heart rate of 65 healthy neonates was continuously monitored during labor and the first 30 minutes of neonatal life. It was found that infants who had moderate or severe variable decelerations in utero had a significantly delayed neonatal heart rate (NHR) reactivity without any evidence of perinatal asphyxia. The NHR pattern of infants with and without variable decelerations is described and possible mechanisms which could explain the delayed NHR reactivity are discussed.