Fetal breathing movements (FBM) were assessed in 28 pregnant women, presenting with uterine contractions before 34 weeks gestation. External tocometry was used to determine uterine contractions objectively. The first group consisted of 17 patients, treated by tocolytics after the ultrasound scanning showed absence of FBM. The second group comprised 11 patients with FBM present, who were observed only. In the first group nine women were delivered within 1 week, whereas in the second group no patient was delivered in that period, all of them being discharged. In patients with premature contractions the presence of FBM seems to indicate that the pregnancy will continue while absence of FBM foreshadows early delivery.Prematurity still remains the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality; however, the identification of preterm labour is often presumptive. It is accepted that in up to 50% of women in apparently established preterm labour, contractions subside spontaneously, and pregnancy continues (Anderson 1981). Treatment given for uterine tocolysis is therefore unnecessary in many cases. In an attempt to predict the outcome, Castle & Turnbull (1983) were the first to demonstrate that the presence or absence of fetal breathing movements (FBM) might suggest whether or not preterm labour would progress.
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