The maternal 24-h blood pressure (BP) profile as a predictor of fetal distress
Scarpelli, P.T.; Fersini, C.; Sensi, G.; Corti, C.; Croppi, E.; Romano, S.; Tarquini, B.
Chronobiologia 11(2): 141-145
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-0037 PMID: 6745008 Document Number: 228340
No mention is made of any aspect of BP bioperiodicity, among current clinical criteria for diagnosing pregnancy-related hypertension. The abnormal BP, based on a single unqualified measurement, is accepted and utilized as a clinical feature to identify pregnancy at risk. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure were measured every 15 min for 24 h in 5 women (2 non pregnant clinically healthy subjects, 1 clinically healthy subject in her third trimester of pregnancy, 1 presenting mild and 1 severe toxiemia, also in their third trimester of pregnancy) by an automated BP recording apparatus (Dynamap). All variables, analyzed by the single cosinor method, exhibited statistically significant circadian rhythms. A high amplitude could nullify the time-unqualified usual range. The change in circadian amplitude precedes an overt mesor hypertension and constitutes a tool for earlier detection of fetal distress.