Biophysical profile for antepartum fetal assessment.

The biophysical profile assesses fetal well-being by evaluating five variables: fetal heart rate reactivity, breathing movements, gross body movements, muscular tone and qualitative amniotic fluid volume. These are estimated through nonstress test monitoring and fetal ultrasound. The biophysical profile reduces the high false-positive rate that is characteristic of single-parameter testing methods, and it can be helpful in monitoring high-risk pregnancies.