What might a high fetal heart rate indicate in relation to infection?

A high fetal heart rate, or tachycardia, can often signal a fetal response to maternal infection or sepsis. When a mother has an infection, the inflammatory response and the presence of fever can lead to increased metabolic demand and stress on the fetus. This results in the fetal heart responding with an increased rate, which is the body’s way of coping with the stressful situation.

It is important to monitor fetal heart rate patterns closely in the context of maternal health because it can provide critical insights into fetal well-being. A persistent high heart rate can be an early indicator that the fetus is being affected by an underlying infection, thus necessitating further evaluation and possible intervention to ensure the health and safety of both mother and child.