Biophysical Profile
Biophysical profile can detect fetal problems
Prenatal care relies on various tests to monitor the growth and health of the unborn baby. In pregnancies that are at higher risk because of the mother's medical condition, the number of babies or other complications, additional tests are used to check on the baby's well-being, noted Ronald Thomas, M.D., director of Allegheny General's Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
One such test is a biophysical profile -- essentially a physical examination in the womb. Using ultrasound, the physician can measure or observe the baby's:
- Heart rate pattern
- Breathing
- Body movement
- Muscle tone (the baby's curling up or stretching out)
- Amount of amniotic fluid
Each of these factors is scored either zero or two, and the individual scores are then totalled. The physician may use the score to help decide whether the baby should be delivered early, Dr. Thomas said.
"If the scores are good, it is unlikely that there will be any significant problems with the baby," he added. "This is a good way of providing reassurance to the mother when the pregnancy is at risk."
Who should be tested?
This test is recommended as a back-up when the fetal heart rate pattern alone does not provide adequate reassurance, Dr. Thomas said. Patients having this testing include those with:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Kidney or heart disease
- Multiple pregnancy (more than one baby)
- Post-term pregnancy (pregnancy that lasts more than two weeks past the due date)
- Previous problem pregnancies
Biophysical profiles can be performed anytime during the pregnancy, Dr. Thomas said, but are usually used after 32 weeks. The test -- which takes less than an hour to complete -- is done once or twice weekly until birth.
Click here for High Risk Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Services Information
Last Updated: September 29, 2009
