Impact of Beta-Blockers on Fetal Heart Rate in Pregnant Women
Author Information
Author(s): Sarah Hautier, Thi Minh Thu Nguyen, Arane Kim, Tiphaine Barral, Dominique Luton
Primary Institution: Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris
Hypothesis
Does the use of beta-blockers during pregnancy affect the mean fetal heart rate?
Conclusion
The study found no significant effect of beta-blockers on fetal heart rate in treated mothers compared to untreated mothers.
Supporting Evidence
- 87% of fetuses from mothers treated with beta-blockers had a heart rate between 110 and 150 bpm.
- 93% of fetuses in the untreated group had a heart rate between 110 and 150 bpm.
- Maternal heart rates above 100 bpm were more common in untreated patients (16%) compared to those on beta-blockers (2.6%).
- Cesarean sections were more frequent in patients on beta-blockers (53%) compared to untreated patients (8.9%).
- Newborns from mothers on beta-blockers tended to have lower birth weights than those from untreated mothers.
Takeaway
This study looked at whether taking beta-blockers during pregnancy changes the baby's heart rate, and it found that it doesn't.
Methodology
Retrospective case-control study comparing 45 patients on beta-blockers to 45 untreated patients.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the retrospective design and matching criteria.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and may have selection and data collection biases; small sample sizes limit statistical power.
Participant Demographics
Median age of participants was 31 years, with similar parity and BMI across groups.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=.71
Statistical Significance
p=.71
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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