Neue perspektiven in der intrauterinen überwachung mittels fetalem magnetenzephalogramm

Purpose: Intensive research and subpartal surveillance have failed to reduce the rate of newborns with cerebral handicaps. The evidence indicates that about 90% of cerebral handicaps are due to antepartal events and thus that only 10% could potentially be avoided by better surveillance during labor. Cerebral injury is rarely detected prenatally and its impact difficult to predict because we do not have a way to assess neuronal function in the developing fetus. We describe a new diagnostic approach which may provide more information on the cerebral well-being of the fetus. Methods and Results: A system was developed to record fetal magnetencephalographic signals and thus detect fetal brain function. An array of 151 sensors was designed to fit to the pregnant body and record the fetal magnetic encephalogram. We present initial results and discuss arising questions. Conclusion: The early data suggest that fetal magnetencephalography can provide insights into the fetal neuronal development and well-being during pregnancy.