Biophysical Profile (BPP)

Fetal Biophysical Profile

Results

A biophysical profile (BPP) test measures the health of your baby (fetus) during pregnancy. The results are scores on five measurements in a 30-minute observation period.

A score of 8 to 10 points means that your baby is healthy. A score of 6 to 8 points means that you may need to be retested in 12 to 24 hours. A score of 4 or less may mean the baby is having problems. Further testing will be recommended.

Biophysical Profile

Measurement	Normal (2 points)	Abnormal (0 points)
Nonstress test	2 or more heart rate increases of 15 beats per minute or more are seen with movement.	Only 1 heart rate increase is seen or the heart rate does not increase by more than 15 beats with movement.
Breathing movement	1 or more breathing movements last at least 60 seconds.	Breathing movement is less than 60 seconds or no breathing is seen.
Body movement	3 or more movements of the arms, legs, or body.	Less than 3 movements of the arms, legs, or body.
Muscle tone	Arms and legs are usually flexed and the head rests on the chest. 1 or more extensions and return to flexion are seen, such as the opening and closing of a hand.	The fetus extends slowly and only returns partway to a normal position. The fetus extends but does not return to a normal position. The arms, legs, or spine are extended or a hand is open.
Amniotic fluid volume	At least one pocket of amniotic fluid of more than 1 cm is seen in the uterine cavity.	Not enough amniotic fluid is seen in the uterine cavity.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 20, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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