In the context of fetal health surveillance, what does "baseline tachycardia" indicate?

Baseline tachycardia in fetal health surveillance refers to a sustained increase in the fetal heart rate above the normal range, which is generally considered to be between 110 and 160 beats per minute. When the fetal heart rate is consistently higher than this range, it can be an indication of potential fetal distress. This can occur due to various factors such as hypoxia (lack of oxygen), infections, or maternal factors like fever or dehydration, signaling that the fetus may not be tolerating the intrauterine environment well.

Identifying baseline tachycardia is crucial in monitoring fetal well-being, as it may prompt healthcare providers to investigate further with additional testing or interventions to ensure the fetus's safety. The other options don't accurately represent the implications of baseline tachycardia; for instance, it does not indicate normal reactiveness, healthy perfusion, or reassuring heart activity, all of which would typically align with a stable and reassuring heart rate profile within the normal range.