Effect of maternal fever on fetal behavior assessed by KANET test

Abstract

Objective of the study was to assess the possible effect of maternal fever without clinical chorioamnionitis on fetal behavior. In a period of 18 months, in a prospective longitudinal cohort study, Kurjak antenatal neurological test (KANET) was applied to assess fetal behavior in both normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by maternal fever. According to the primary localization of the infection, maternal fever group was divided into four groups: Respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, malaria and gastrointestinal tract infection. According to KANET test, fetuses with scores ≥14 were considered normal, 6 to 13 borderline and abnormal, if KANET scores were ≤5. Differences between groups were examined by Mann-Whitney U-test, differences between subgroups by Steel test. KANET scores differed statistically significant between two main groups. The largest proportion of abnormal KANET scores was found in pregnancies complicated by malaria, while the largest proportion of borderline scores showed fetuses from pregnancies complicated by urinary tract infection. There was no statistical significant difference in KANET scores between the control group and fetuses from pregnancies complicated by respiratory tract infection. KANET test has been shown to be a reliable means to distinguish normal and abnormal fetal behavior. Postnatal follow-up should confirm the data from prenatal assessment of fetal behavior. © Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.