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Objective: To evaluate the frequencies of fetal facial expressions among appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA), small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and growth-restricted (FGR) fetuses.Methods: Four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound was used to examine the facial expressions of 50 AGA, 25 SGA, and six FGR fetuses between 28 and 35 weeks of gestation. The frequencies of seven facial expressions during 15-minute recordings were assessed. Comparison of facial expressions among the three groups was performed.Results: Mouthing was the commonest facial expression at 28-35 weeks, and the frequency of mouthing was significantly higher than those of the other six facial expressions in AGA fetuses. Mouthing was the most frequent facial expression, but there was no significant difference in the frequency among mouthing, smiling and blinking in SGA fetuses. Moreover, mouthing displayed a significantly higher frequency than the other facial expressions, except for yawning, smiling, and blinking in FGR fetuses. However, there was no significant difference in the frequency of each facial expression among the three groups.Conclusions: Our results suggest that the frequencies of fetal facial expressions are not decreased in either SGA or FGR pregnancies. The absence of a decrease in the frequency of each fetal expression in FGR fetuses may be due to increased brain blood flow because of the brain-sparing effect. Moreover, accelerated maturation and development of the brain function, especially the central dopamine system, might be suspected in SGA and FGR fetuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fetuses show various facial expressions, such as blinking, yawning, sucking, mouthing, tongue expulsion, scowling, and smiling, assessed by four-dimensional ultrasound from the early second trimester of pregnancy. Moreover, some fetuses demonstrate emotion-like behaviors as noted in infants, children, and adults. Selective fetal responses to stimuli indicate a high degree of brain development, which is reflected in the facial reactions. The fetal face with its movements and expressions can mirror the fetal brain function and development during different stages of the fetus in utero. The fetal face might represent the key to opening the box containing the secrets of fetal brain function and development. Four-dimensional ultrasound may be an important modality in current and future research on fetal facial expressions and assist in the evaluation of the fetal brain function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether neurological maturation and development are accelerated in fetal growth restriction (FGR) in utero using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound. Methods: The facial expressions of 50 appropriate-for- gestational-age (AGA) and 34 FGR fetuses aged between 28 and 35 gestational weeks were assessed using 4D ultrasound. Subsequently, they were differentiated into two gestational age groups (19 aged 28-31 weeks and 31 aged 32-35 weeks in AGA, and 15 aged 28-31 weeks and 19 aged 32-35 weeks in FGR). Fifteen-minute recordings were made, and the frequencies of seven facial expressions during that time were examined. Correlation analysis was conducted to assess the changing number of significant correlations with advancing gestation in each group. Results: Out of 21 combinations of facial expressions at 28-31 and 32-35 gestational weeks in AGA fetuses, there was only three significant correlations. Similarly, only one was noted out of 21 combinations at 28-31 gestational weeks, but there were seven significant correlations in FGR fetuses at 32-35 weeks (P = 0.018). However, there was no significant difference in the number of correlations of facial expressions between AGA (3/21) and FGR (7/21) fetuses at 32-35 weeks of gestation (P = 0.147). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the number of significant correlations of fetal facial expressions in FGR fetuses increases more compared with that in AGA fetuses at 32-35 weeks of gestation. Due to the acceleration of neurological maturation and development in FGR fetuses, the control of facial expressions by the brain may be more evident compared with AGA fetuses at 32-35 weeks of gestation. However, the data and their interpretation in the present study should be taken with some degree of caution because of the small number of subjects studied. Further studies involving a larger sample size are needed to obtain strong or additional evidence. Objective: To assess whether neurological maturation and development are accelerated in fetal growth restriction (FGR) in utero using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound. Methods: The facial expressions of 50 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and 34 FGR fetuses aged between 28 and 35 gestational weeks were assessed using 4D ultrasound. Subsequently, they were differentiated into two gestational age groups (19 aged 28-31 weeks and 31 aged 32-35 weeks in AGA, and 15 aged 28-31 weeks and 19 aged 32-35 weeks in FGR). Fifteen-minute recordings were made, and the frequencies of seven facial expressions during that time were examined. Correlation analysis was conducted to assess the changing number of significant correlations with advancing gestation in each group. Results: Out of 21 combinations of facial expressions at 28-31 and 32-35 gestational weeks in AGA fetuses, there was only three significant correlations. Similarly, only one was noted out of 21 combinations at 28-31 gestational weeks, but there were seven significant correlations in FGR fetuses at 32-35 weeks (P = 0.018). However, there was no significant difference in the number of correlations of facial expressions between AGA (3/21) and FGR (7/21) fetuses at 32-35 weeks of gestation (P = 0.147). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the number of significant correlations of fetal facial expressions in FGR fetuses increases more compared with that in AGA fetuses at 32-35 weeks of gestation. Due to the acceleration of neurological maturation and development in FGR fetuses, the control of facial expressions by the brain may be more evident compared with AGA fetuses at 32-35 weeks of gestation. However, the data and their interpretation in the present study should be taken with some degree of caution because of the small number of subjects studied. Further studies involving a larger sample size are needed to obtain strong or additional evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the effect of psychotropic drugs on fetal behavior using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: Fetal behavior was assessed using Kurjak's antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) using 4D ultrasound between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. Thirty healthy (control group) and 10 psychotropic-drug-administered pregnant (case group) women were studied. The total value of the KANET score and values of each parameter (eight parameters) were compared between the two groups. Results: The total KANET score was normal (except for one fetus in the case group: total score of 9) in both groups, and there was no significant difference in the total KANET score. When individual KANET parameters were compared, no significant differences were noted in any of the eight parameters. Conclusion: Our results showed that there is no difference in fetal behavior between fetuses of normal pregnant women and those of psychotropic-drug-administered pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy. These results suggest that psychotropic drugs may not affect fetal behavioral development in utero. However, the data and their interpretation in the present study should be taken with some degree of caution because of the small number of subjects studied. Further studies involving a larger sample size are needed to assess the effect of psychotropic drugs on fetal neurobehavior during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the characteristics of twin fetal facial expressions at 30–33 + 6 weeks of gestation using four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound to clarify twin fetal brain development and maturation. Methods: Frequencies of seven fetal facial expressions were studied using 4D ultrasound for 15 minutes in 30 singleton pregnancies and 18 twin pregnancies [four monochorionic diamniotic (MD) and 14 dichorionic diamniotic (DD) twins] at 30–33 + 6 weeks of gestation. Comparison of the frequency in each facial expression was performed between singleton and twin fetuses. Results: Mouthing was the most frequent facial expression at 30–33 + 6 weeks of gestation, followed by blinking in twin and singleton fetuses. Both facial expressions were significantly more frequent than other expressions (P < 0.05). The frequencies of mouthing and scowling in twin fetuses were significantly lower than those in singleton fetuses, but there were no significant differences in the frequencies of the five other facial expressions between the fetal groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that restricted twin fetal behavior before 20 weeks of gestation may still affect the frequencies of twin facial expressions early in the third trimester of pregnancy. Moreover, the frequencies of facial expressions in twins are different from those of singleton fetuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]