Beat-to-beat detection of fetal heart rate: Doppler ultrasound cardiotocography compared to direct ECG cardiotocography in time and frequency domain

In order to obtain power spectral information on the fetal heart rate in stages of pregnancy earlier than labor an algorithm has been developed to calculate the fetal heart rate on a beat-to-beat basis from Doppler ultrasound cardiotocographic signals. The algorithm was evaluated by comparing the calculated fetal heart rate with the heart rate determined from direct ECG signals measured with a scalp electrode. Heart rates were compared both in time and frequency domain. In the time domain the results achieved by both methods correlate well (correlation coefficient = 0.977 (p <0.001)), in the frequency domain the results correlate even better (correlation coefficient = 0.991 (p <0.001)). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the developed algorithm provides a valuable tool for obtaining power spectral information on the fetal heart rate in stages of pregnancy earlier than labor.