Which of the following is a complication of bradycardia in a fetus?

Fetal bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate in a fetus, typically defined as fewer than 110 beats per minute. One of the significant complications associated with bradycardia in a fetus is the potential for fetal cardiac defects. This can arise because bradycardia may indicate underlying structural or functional issues with the fetal heart, affecting its ability to circulate blood effectively.

When bradycardia occurs, it can lead to inadequate oxygen delivery to the fetus, risking the health and development of the fetus. Cardiac defects can manifest as either congenital malformations or functional limitations of the heart, which may be detectable through ultrasound or monitoring during pregnancy.

Other options present scenarios that either involve normal physiological processes or conditions not directly associated with bradycardia. Increased fetal movement or excessive fetal activity is often associated with fetal well-being and can be seen with normal or elevated heart rates, not bradycardia. A normal baseline heart rate contradicts the definition of bradycardia, as bradycardia is characterized by a heart rate that falls below the normal range.