Simulation of FHR Signals with Abnormal Variability

Cardiotocography or CTG is usually performed by obstetricians to examine fetal well-being during or before labor. Generally, visual inspection of the trace is performed to analyze the fetal heart rate signal, but due to its highly subjective nature, it lacks specificity and reproducibility. Computerized analysis of the trace provides a more objective standpoint for the identification and interpretation of various physiological and pathological conditions in the fetus. However, abnormalities in the trace are generally hard to come by. In the present paper, we have developed an algorithm for the simulation of FHR signals with abnormal variabilities using three distinct patterns. This algorithm was implemented on the CTG records of 57 subjects collected from hospitals. The morphological features of both original and simulated signals were plotted and the results were tabulated.