Objective and quantitative evaluation of fetal hiccups by computerized cardiotocography: A prospective observational study

The physiological function of fetal hiccup and its correlation with fetal well-being is a debated topic. We conducted a prospective observational study in a Tertiary care University Hospital to correlate the fetal hiccups with the antepartum computerized cardiotocography parameters. Fifty-one nonlaboring women with a term pregnancy were en-rolled. We collected data regarding maternal perception of fetal hiccups and the computerized cardiotocographic examination. The pregnant were divided into three groups depending on fetal hiccups perception. There was a statistical difference for the number of fetal movements in an hour between the group of daily perception and the group of no perception. Changes in fetal movements frequency are essential to recognize pregnancies at increased risk for adverse fetal outcomes. No one studies in the medical literature utilized the computerized cardiotocographic machine to explore fetal hiccups. Then our study showed that a mother with daily fetal hiccups could be considered a low risk considering the significant numbers of fetal movements revealed by computerized cardiotocography. Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials are required to evaluate the fetal hiccups evaluation and its influence on fetal outcomes.