The technique, reported in this months British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, will allow doctors to monitor the health of babies' hearts and obtain the full fetal ECG (fECG), particularly during high risk pregnancies, such as where the mother suffers from diabetes or pre-eclampsia or where there is a family history of serious arrhythmia such as Long QT syndrome. These conditions can affect the baby, sometimes resulting in a still birth or sudden death in later life.
Dr Myles J.O. Taylor from Imperial College London and the Hammersmith Hospital comments: "Although it has been possible to record the fECG from the baby in the womb since the 1960's, the technique has not been totally reliable, as it is difficult to separate the heart rate from background interference. This new technique will allow us to accurately record and analyse the fetal ECG, not just in single pregnancies, but also in multiple pregnancies which we believe is a world first."
The researchers used electrodes placed on the maternal abdomen to record the data, which are then relayed back to a computer able to process the signals, picking out the baby's heart signal from background interference, such as from the mother's heart and external electrical sources.
The equipment uses sophisticated filtering, amplification and signal systems making use of developments in computing and digital signal processing technologies to record this data.
Dr Mark Smith, QinetiQ scientist, who led the team that developed the fECG system, said: " I am absolutely delighted that the equipment we have developed is getting such excellent results at Queen Charlotte's."
The team has studied more than 600 pregnant women so far between fifteen and forty weeks pregnancy including those with twin and triplet pregnancies.
Dr Helena Gardiner, from Imperial College London and the Hammersmith and Royal Brompton Hospitals, adds: "This new technique will be particularly useful in gathering more information about heart function and development in unborn children. Cardiac arrhythmia is believed to be a factor in cot death, and by getting more information on the hearts of unborn babies, it may be possible to detect those at high risk and prevent the devastating effects of some arrhythmias on the fetus and newborn baby."
Notes to editors:
1. BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, July 2003, Volume 110, pp 668-678.
2. The non invasive foetal ECG system was developed and patented by QinetiQ
3. Consistently rated in the top three UK university institutions, Imperial College London is a world leading science-based university whose reputation for excellence in teaching and research attracts students (10,000) and staff (5,000) of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that enhance the quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Website: www.imperial.ac.uk.
4. QinetiQ is one of Europe's largest science and technology solutions providers. Among its 9,500 staff it employs many leading scientists and internationally acclaimed experts and offers a range of services, consultancy advice and test facilities.
5. QinetiQ operates in markets as diverse as health, marine, energy, telecommunications, automotive, rail, electronics, defence, space, oil & gas, aerospace and information technology. Its state of the art healthcare facilities include climatic chambers, sleep laboratory, hyperbaric chamber, hypobaric chamber, immersion pool and a vibration and disorientation laboratory.
Journal
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology