Marked variability may be related to which condition?

Marked variability in fetal heart rate is an important observation during electronic fetal monitoring. It indicates a healthy and responsive fetal autonomic nervous system. However, while variability can reflect normal fetal conditions, marked variability is often associated with healthy fetuses, particularly those who are active.

The association of marked variability with fetal hypoxemia is significant and can be seen in clinical scenarios where there are acute stresses on the fetus. This condition can lead to a compensatory response from the fetal body, resulting in increased variability due to the fetus' attempt to maintain adequate oxygenation under conditions of impaired blood flow or lower oxygen availability.

In contrast, other potential factors like maternal anxiety or fetal hyperactivity typically do not produce marked variability as a direct effect. While these elements could influence the overall fetal condition, they would not specifically relate to marked variability in the same critical manner as hypoxemia.

Understanding marked variability is essential as it informs healthcare professionals about the fetus's current state, helping to guide appropriate clinical decisions during labor and delivery.