Which condition leads to bradycardia in fetal heart rate monitoring?

Bradycardia in fetal heart rate monitoring is characterized by a sustained decrease in the fetal heart rate below the normal baseline of 110 to 160 beats per minute. One of the significant conditions that can lead to bradycardia is umbilical cord compression. This occurs when the umbilical cord is compressed, often during contractions or if there is decreased amniotic fluid, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen to the fetus. As a result, the fetal heart rate responds by slowing down, resulting in bradycardia.

In contrast to umbilical cord compression, conditions such as fetal tachycardia can actually lead to an increased fetal heart rate, while maternal hypertension could affect perfusion but is not directly associated with the characteristic pattern of bradycardia. Placental abruption, while it can compromise fetal wellbeing, typically manifests with variable decelerations more than a sustained bradycardia, and it involves a different pathophysiological process. Therefore, umbilical cord compression is the most directly associated condition leading to bradycardia during fetal heart rate monitoring.