Biophysical profile
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
A biophysical profile is a prenatal ultrasound evaluation of fetal wellbeing, involving a scoring system.
Components
- The biophysical profile (BPP) has 5 components: 4 ultrasound (US) assessments and a nonstress test (NST).
- The US assessments are:
- amniotic fluid volume,
- fetal tone,
- fetal activity, and
- fetal breathing movements.
- Each component is graded either 0 or 2 points, and then added up to yield a number between 0 and 10.
- A BPP of 8 to 10 is generally considered reassuring.
Indication
A BPP normally is not performed before the second half of a pregnancy (fetal breathing movements do not occur in the first half.)