Fetus

Fetal Tachycardia

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Fetal Tachycardia, FHR Tachycardia

  • See Also
  1. Fetal Assessment
  2. Fetal Testing Indications
  3. Fetal Heart Tracing
  • Definitions
  1. Fetal Tachycardia
    1. Fetal Heart Rate >160 bpm for >=10 minutes
  • Causes
  • Mild Fetal Tachycardia (FHR 160-180 bpm)
  1. Usually benign if normal FHR Variability or accelerations (spontaneous or stimulated)
  2. Maternal Causes
    1. Maternal Fever or infection
    2. Maternal Dehydration
    3. Maternal anxiety
    4. Maternal Ketosis
    5. Maternal Thyrotoxicosis
    6. Maternal Anemia
    7. Medications
      1. Anticholinergic Medications (e.g. Benadryl)
      2. Sympathomimetic medications (e.g. Terbutaline)
      3. Stimulants
  3. Fetal Causes
    1. Fetal Anemia
    2. Prolonged fetal movement
    3. Severely Preterm Fetus
    4. Cardiac anomalies
    5. Chronic Fetal Hypoxia
  • Causes
  • Significant Fetal Tachycardia (FHR >180 bpm)
  1. Chorioamnionitis (especially if Maternal Fever)
  2. Fetal Arrhythmia or congenital defect (FHR >200 bpm)
  • References
  1. Bailey (2000) ALSO, E:1-13
  2. Gabbe (2002) Obstetrics, p. 395
  3. Arnold (2020) Am Fam Physician 102(3): 158-67 [PubMed]
  4. Rylander (2001) Clin Fam Pract 3(2):287-305 [PubMed]