The effect of maternal hypothermia on the fetal heart rate.

ABSTRACT

Fetal bradycardia is a recognized response to maternal hypothermia but has not previously been reported in conjunction with diabetes. A 30-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic was admitted at 35 weeks gestation for control of her diabetes. She developed maternal hypothermia and hypoglycemia and the fetal heart rate fell to 100 beats per minute (b.p.m.). However, the fetal heart rate gradually returned to normal after rewarming the patient.