First trimester fetal cardiac activity. Sonographic documentation of a progressive early rise in heart rate.

Published

Journal Article

The heart rates of 124 first trimester fetuses were determined with real-time sonography and were analyzed with regard to gestational age. The mean embryonic heart rate increased from 101 beats per minute (bpm) at 5 to 5.95 menstrual weeks to 143 bpm at 8 to 8.95 weeks. After nine weeks, the rate reached a plateau, ranging from 137 to 144 bpm. Slower heart rates are normal early in the first trimester and should not be misinterpreted as an abnormal finding or mistaken for maternal pulsations.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Hertzberg, BS; Mahony, BS; Bowie, JD

Published Date

  • October 1, 1988

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 7 / 10

Start / End Page

  • 573 - 575

Pubmed Central ID

  • 3066922

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1550-9613

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0278-4297

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.7863/jum.1988.7.10.573

Language

  • eng