Biophysical Profile (BPP)

Fetal Biophysical Profile

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• The baby is in a position that makes an ultrasound difficult.
• Being unable to lie still throughout the procedure, which can cause the picture of your baby to be unclear.
• Being overweight, which may make it difficult to correctly position the external monitoring device.
• An infection in either you or your baby.
• Low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar levels.
• Medicine, such as magnesium sulfate.
• Steroids given to help the baby's lungs mature.
• Alcohol or illegal drugs, such as cocaine.
• In rare cases, stool (feces) or air in the intestines or rectum interfering with the fetal ultrasound.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 20, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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