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Cerebral blood flow velocity pattern in healthy and asphyxiated newborns: a controlled study

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Abstract

In a controlled study serial determinations of cerebral blood flow velocity using Doppler ultrasound and repeated real-time ultrasonographic- or computerized axial tomographic studies of the brain were performed in 17 (nearly) full-term newborns who experienced perinatal asphyxia and in 17 healthy matched controls during the first week of life. A higher cerebral blood flow velocity was found during the first 4 days of life, indicating a lower cerebrovascular resistance in the asphyxiated infants compared to the control infants. These haemodynamic changes coincided with cerebral oedema and neurological abnormalities. It is speculated that the changes in the cerebral circulation in asphyxiated infants are at least partly caused by cerebral oedema-induced increase of intracranial pressure due to severe perinatal asphyxia. Serial Doppler ultrasound investigations of the brain may be a useful non-invasive method for early detection and follow-up of the consequences of severe perinatal asphyxia.

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Abbreviations

ACA:

anterior cerebral artery

AUVC:

area under the velocity curve

CT:

computerized axial tomography

EDFV:

end diastolic flow velocity

HIE:

hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

PI:

pulsatility index

PSFV:

peak systolic flow velocity

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics (Neonatal Unit), Building 35, University Hospital of Leiden, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands

    F. van Bel, M. van de Bor, J. Baan & J. H. Ruys

  2. Department of Medical Statistics, University Hospital of Leiden, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands

    T. Stijnen

Authors
  1. F. van Bel
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  2. M. van de Bor
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  3. T. Stijnen
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  4. J. Baan
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  5. J. H. Ruys
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van Bel, F., van de Bor, M., Stijnen, T. et al. Cerebral blood flow velocity pattern in healthy and asphyxiated newborns: a controlled study. Eur J Pediatr 146, 461–467 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441595

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441595

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