Biophysical profile
Encyclopedia
A biophysical profile is a prenatal ultrasound
evaluation of fetal well-being, involving a scoring system. It is often done when a non-stress test is non reactive, or for other obstetrical indications.
(US) assessments and a nonstress test
(NST). The nonstress test
(NST)(CTG) evaluates fetal heart rate and response to fetal movement. The five discrete biophysical variables:
Use of acoustic stimulation to accelerate evaluation has been described.
The presence of these biophysical variables implies absence of significant central nervous system hypoxemia/acidemia at the time of testing. By comparison, a compromised fetus typically exhibits loss of accelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR), decreased body movement and breathing, hypotonia, and, less acutely, decreased amniotic fluid volume.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is...
evaluation of fetal well-being, involving a scoring system. It is often done when a non-stress test is non reactive, or for other obstetrical indications.
The test
The biophysical profile (BPP) has 5 components: 4 ultrasoundUltrasound
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is...
(US) assessments and a nonstress test
Nonstress test
A nonstress test is a screening test used in pregnancy. A cardiotocograph is used to monitor the fetal heart rate.-Premise:The premise of the NST is that a well-oxygenated, non-acidemic fetus will spontaneously have temporary increases in the fetal heart rate...
(NST). The nonstress test
Nonstress test
A nonstress test is a screening test used in pregnancy. A cardiotocograph is used to monitor the fetal heart rate.-Premise:The premise of the NST is that a well-oxygenated, non-acidemic fetus will spontaneously have temporary increases in the fetal heart rate...
(NST)(CTG) evaluates fetal heart rate and response to fetal movement. The five discrete biophysical variables:
- Fetal movement
- Fetal tone
- Fetal breathing
- Amniotic fluid volume
- Fetal Heart Rate
| Parameter | Normal (2 points) | Abnormal (0 points) |
|---|---|---|
| NST/Reactive FHR | At least two accelerations in 30 minutes | Less than two accelerations to satisfy the test in 30 minutes |
| US: Fetal breathing movements | At least one episode of > 30s or >20s in 30 minutes | None or less than 30s or 20s |
| US: Fetal activity / gross body movements | At least two movements of the torso or limbs | Less than three or two movements |
| US: Fetal muscle tone | At least one episodes of active bending and straightening of the limb or trunk | No movements or movements slow and incomplete |
| US: Qualitative AFV/AFI Amniotic Fluid Index Amniotic fluid index is a rough estimate of the amount of amniotic fluid and is an index for the fetal well-being. It is a part of the biophysical profile.... |
At least one vertical pocket> 2 cm or more in the vertical axis | Largest vertical pocket |
Use of acoustic stimulation to accelerate evaluation has been described.
Scoring
Each assessment is graded either 0 or 2 points, and then added up to yield a number between 0 and 10. A BPP of 8 or 10 is generally considered reassuring. A BPP normally is not performed before the second half of a pregnancy, since fetal breathing movements do not occur in the first half.The presence of these biophysical variables implies absence of significant central nervous system hypoxemia/acidemia at the time of testing. By comparison, a compromised fetus typically exhibits loss of accelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR), decreased body movement and breathing, hypotonia, and, less acutely, decreased amniotic fluid volume.