The effects of maternal eating on fetal nonstress test reactivity

Abstract

Studies on the effect of recent ingestion of a meal or glucose on fetal activity as shown in the nonstress test (NST) have yielded conflicting results, and this study aimed to clarify the issue. Sixty women with high-risk pregnancies underwent 140 NSTs, and the time since last meal ingestion was recorded for each test. The relationship between the postprandial state and NST results could not be evaluated fully, because the nonreactive test rate was only 3 percent. However, statistical analysis showed trends suggesting a relationship between the number of hours since eating and NST reactivity with and without stimulation. These results may be influenced also by gestational age.