Fetal monitoring

Question 1

What are the components of the biophysical profile?

Answer 1

1. Nonstress test - ≥2 accelerations within 20–40 min
2. Fetal breathing - ≥1 episode of rhythmic breathing lasting ≥30 sec
3. Fetal movement - ≥3 discrete body or limb movements
4. Fetal tone - ≥1 episode of extremity extension and subsequent return to flexion
5. Amniotic fluid volume - A pocket of amnionic fluid that measures at least 2 cm in two planes perpendicular to each other (2 × 2 cm pocket)

• Note - score 2 for each of these components if positive, otherwise score 0.