What might suggest a maternal seizure regarding fetal health?

What might suggest a maternal seizure regarding fetal health?

• A. Increased fetal kick counts
• B. Severe variable deceleration
• C. Consistent fetal heart rate
• D. Intermittent fetal movement

Answer: (B)

Severe variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate are indicative of possible fetal distress, which can be a direct consequence of maternal seizures. During a seizure, there can be a decrease in uteroplacental blood flow and oxygenation to the fetus, leading to these decelerations. Severe variable decelerations are characterized by abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate that can fall below baseline by more than 15 beats per minute and last for more than 15 seconds. This pattern may reflect compromised fetal well-being and demands immediate evaluation and intervention to ensure the safety of both the mother and the fetus. The other options—such as increased fetal kick counts, consistent fetal heart rate, and intermittent fetal movement—do not directly correlate with the physiological changes induced by a maternal seizure. Increased fetal kick counts may imply well-being but do not signal distress. A consistent fetal heart rate suggests stability, while intermittent fetal movement might indicate normal variations in activity rather than a response to a seizure.

Severe variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate are indicative of possible fetal distress, which can be a direct consequence of maternal seizures. During a seizure, there can be a decrease in uteroplacental blood flow and oxygenation to the fetus, leading to these decelerations. Severe variable decelerations are characterized by abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate that can fall below baseline by more than 15 beats per minute and last for more than 15 seconds. This pattern may reflect compromised fetal well-being and demands immediate evaluation and intervention to ensure the safety of both the mother and the fetus.

The other options—such as increased fetal kick counts, consistent fetal heart rate, and intermittent fetal movement—do not directly correlate with the physiological changes induced by a maternal seizure. Increased fetal kick counts may imply well-being but do not signal distress. A consistent fetal heart rate suggests stability, while intermittent fetal movement might indicate normal variations in activity rather than a response to a seizure.