Biophysical profile
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Biophysical profile
A biophysical profile (BPP) test measures the health of your baby (fetus) during pregnancy. A BPP test includes a nonstress test with electronic fetal heart monitoring and a fetal ultrasound. The BPP measures your baby's heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing, and the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby.
A biophysical profile may be recommended if the results of a nonstress test are nonreactive. A nonreactive nonstress test means that the baby's heart rate did not change as expected when the baby moved. A biophysical profile may also be recommended for women who have high-risk pregnancies. The tests allow the doctor to find any possible problems as early as possible.
The results of the biophysical profile, ranging from 0 to 10, can help the doctor decide if the baby is healthy. The doctor may use the results of the BPP test to help decide when to deliver the baby or if a cesarean section is a safer way to deliver.
Credits
| Author | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Liisa Honey, MD, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | February 22, 2008 |
| Last updated: | February 22, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Liisa Honey, MD, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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