Pathologic Function
fetal distress
fe·tal dis·tress [ feet-l dih-stres ]
Subclass of:
Signs and Symptoms
Definitions related to fetal distress:
  • A nonreassuring fetal status (NRFS) indicating that the FETUS is compromised (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1988). It can be identified by sub-optimal values in FETAL HEART RATE; oxygenation of FETAL BLOOD; and other parameters.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
  • An intrauterine state characterized by suboptimal values in the fetal heart rate, oxygenation of fetal blood, or other parameters indicative of compromise of the fetus. Signs of fetal distress include repetitive variable decelerations, fetal tachycardia or bradycardia, late decelerations, or low biophysical profile.
    Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)
    The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
  • Signs or symptoms which may be indicative of distress to a fetus, which may include repetitive variable decelerations, fetal tachycardia or bradycardia, late decelerations, or low biophysical profile.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Fetal distress refers to signs before and during childbirth indicating that the fetus is not well. Fetal distress is an uncommon complication of labor. It typically occurs when the fetus has not been receiving enough oxygen.
    Merck Manuals
    Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.