Question

Which of the following is periodic noise source in the foetal ECG signal from the maternal abdomen?

(a) Amplifier input noise

(b) Maternal Muscle noise

(c) Fluctuations in electrode polarization potential

(d) Maternal ECG

I had been asked this question in final exam.

I'd like to ask this question from Ambulatory Monitoring Instruments topic in section Arrhythmia and Ambulatory Monitoring Instruments of Biomedical Instrumentation

Answer 1

Right option is (d) Maternal ECG

Easy explanation: The major sources of noise in the foetal ECG signal recorded from the maternal abdomen are (i) amplifier input noise, (ii) maternal muscle noise (EMG), (iii) fluctuations in electrode polarization potential, and (iv) maternal ECG. For practical purposes, the first three of these sources can be considered as random whereas the maternal ECG is a periodic noise source.