Perinatal brain ischaemia: impact at four years of age

Neonatal cerebrovascular autoregulation

Cerebrovascular pressure autoregulation is the physiologic mechanism that holds cerebral blood flow (CBF) relatively constant across changes in cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). Cerebral vasoreactivity refers to the vasoconstriction and vasodilation that occur during fluctuations in arterial blood pressure (ABP) to maintain autoregulation. These are vital protective mechanisms of the brain. Impairments in pressure autoregulation increase the risk of brain injury and persistent neurologic disability. Autoregulation may be impaired during various neonatal disease states including prematurity, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), intraventricular hemorrhage, congenital cardiac disease, and infants requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Because infants are exquisitely sensitive to changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF), both hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion can cause significant neurologic injury. We will review neonatal pressure autoregulation and autoregulation monitoring techniques with a focus on brain protection. Current clinical therapies have failed to fully prevent permanent brain injuries in neonates. Adjuvant treatments that support and optimize autoregulation may improve neurologic outcomes.

Tardive dyskinesia and pregnancy and delivery complications

Twelve children and adolescents with movements suggestive of tardive dyskinesia (TD) were compared to 49 non-TD patients while receiving neuroleptic treatment. A multiple regression analysis revealed the diagnosis of TD to be significantly associated with a history of pregnancy and delivery complications (PDCs), suggesting that these events may increase the risk of the development of treatment emergent TD.

Widened subarachnoid space in pre-discharge cranial ultrasound: evidence of cerebral atrophy in immature infants?

The authors examined the incidence of widened subarachnoid spaces (SAS) among 75 infants with birthweights less than or equal to 1250g, and their significance in developmental outcome. Nine of 30 infants with gestations less than or equal to 27 weeks had widened SAS in their pre-discharge ultrasound scans. Three of the nine, including two with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), had late-onset ventricular enlargement, unrelated to intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH): all three were developmentally impaired. The other six infants without ventricular enlargement developed normally, including one with IVH. Five of the remaining 21 infants with gestations less than or equal to 27 weeks and without widened SAS were developmentally impaired. Widened SAS was not associated with a significantly increased risk of developmental impairment; ventricular enlargement and PVL were the only significant factors. The authors conclude that an isolated finding of widened SAS is not predictive of impairment in immature infants.

Intellectual impairment with regional cerebral dysfunction after low neonatal cerebral blood flow

12 children, in whom neonatal CBF had been measured, were examined at the age of 9 to 10 years by means of clinical neurological examination, neuropsychologic tests and observations, and 133Xe single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Performance on most neuropsychologic tests or observations correlated with neonatal CBF but only rarely with other neonatal parameters (birthweight, gestational age, Apgar score at 5 min). Poor performance on each test or observation was in most instances correlated with a distinct pattern of regional cerebral dysfunction as assessed by SPECT. The dysfunctional region tended to be located periventricularly and in the watershed regions between major cerebral arteries. It is concluded that low neonatal cerebral perfusion may be an indicator, and possibly a determinant, of later intellectual dysfunction in stressed neonates, and that specific neuropsychologic deficits are associated with specific patterns of cerebral dysfunction in the present patient group.

Oxygen affinity of haemoglobin modulates cerebral blood flow in premature infants. A study with the non-invasive xenon-133 method

Low cerebral blood flow (CBF) is thought to cause ischaemic brain lesions in premature infants, but a normal outcome has also been observed. Low oxygen affinity of haemoglobin and high arterial oxygen content, independently, reduce CBF under normal, physiological conditions. Transfusions lower the amount of fetal haemoglobin [HbF] and therefore the oxygen affinity of premature babies. In 47 premature babies (range of gestational age 25-34 weeks, birthweight 740-1370 g), CBF was measured with the i.v. Xenon 133 method on days 1, 3 and 7. The relative amount of fetal haemoglobin [HbF] was used as a marker of oxygen affinity of haemoglobin and the haematocrit as representing the arterial oxygen content. A significant influence of [HbF] on CBF was found on days 1, 3 and 7 in ultrasonographically normal babies (n = 13). In babies with subependymal and/or intraventricular haemorrhage (n = 15), this correlation was significant only on day 3 and in those with abnormal intraparenchymal echodensities (n = 19) only on day 7. The correlation between haemoglobin concentration and CBF was not significant. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant influence of [HbF] on CBF independent of haematocrit, pCO2 and blood pressure. It appears that, after blood transfusion, normal babies, and to a lesser extent those with haemorrhages are able to lower their CBF according to the actual oxygen affinity of blood. However, low CBF (less than 10 ml/100 g/min) in non-transfused babies was often associated with later development of cystic periventricular leukomalacia.)

Visual and neurological outcome of infants with periventricular leukomalacia

Visual acuity, visual fields and neurological status were assessed in 10 infants with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), tested at 16, 36, 48 and 72 weeks from the expected date of confinement. Monocular acuity development was normal in eight of the 10 infants, but was below normal in one infant at eight months and in another at 18 months. Over half the infants tested at 16, 36 and 48 weeks had smaller visual fields than those of 95 per cent of healthy preterm infants tested at the same ages, but by 72 weeks only two of six infants tested had restricted visual fields. Nine of the 10 infants were neurologically abnormal at ages under one year, but only four remained so beyond one year. These results indicate more favourable outcomes for visual acuity and neurological status in infants with non-cavitary PVL than have been reported in infants with cavitary PVL. The most compromised infants were one with cavitary PVL and another with extensive non-cavitary PVL who had the longest-lasting EEG abnormalities of all 10 infants.

Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials in perinatal asphyxia

Ten asphyxiated term newborns were studied in the first 6 months of life with median nerve short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SLSEP) and followed subsequently to a mean age of 20 months. Results of SLSEP correlated with subsequent outcome in every patient; normal and abnormal infants at subsequent examination were separable on the basis of prior SLSEP, although the severity of later disability could not be inferred from SLSEP.

Beagle puppy model of perinatal cerebral infarction. Regional cerebral prostaglandin changes during acute hypoxemia

Perinatal cerebral infarction, or stroke, is a not uncommon finding in newborns who survive after intensive care. Asphyxia, with its component parts hypoxemia and hypotension, represents the most common cause of perinatal cerebral infarction and may result in neuropathological changes in the periventricular white matter. Previous studies have demonstrated regional alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in response to hypoxemic insult. This work examines the effects of hypoxemia on regional cerebral prostaglandin levels in the developing brain, since some observers believe that local CBF is controlled in part by prostaglandins. In this study, newborn beagle pups were anesthetized, subjected to tracheotomy and artificially ventilated to maintain normoxemia and normocarbia. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was continuously monitored by means of an indwelling catheter and transducer, and craniectomies were performed. When the pups were physiologically stabilized, they were randomly assigned to receive acute hypoxemic insult (pO2 14.0 +/- 1.55 mm Hg, mean +/- standard deviation) accomplished by altering the oxygen concentration in the inspired air) or to receive no insult (mean pO2 84.3 +/- 13.0 mm Hg). Fifteen minutes following stable hypoxemic or normoxic conditions, all pups underwent in vivo freezing of the intracranial contents under anesthesia followed by rapid sacrifice. No significant differences were noted between the MABP, pH, or pCO2 values for the control and hypoxemic pups during the experimental period. Regional cerebral prostaglandin data demonstrated a significant increase in prostaglandin (PG)E2 in the gray matter of hypoxemic pups when compared to the normoxic controls (p less than 0.02). No significant differences were noted for 6-keto-PGE1 alpha, the stable metabolite of prostacyclin, or thromboxane (TX)B2, the stable metabolite of TXA2, in the gray matter. In addition, although 6-keto-PGE1 alpha was significantly lower in the periventricular white matter of the hypoxemic pups (p less than 0.05), there were no changes in the white matter in either PGE2 or TXA2. This regional differential synthesis of PGE2 in response to hypoxemic insult may explain the relative failure of CBF to the periventricular white matter and thus the neuropathological alterations attributed to it.

Beagle puppy model of perinatal cerebral infarction. Acute changes in regional cerebral prostaglandins during hemorrhagic hypotension

Perinatal cerebral infarction is a not uncommon finding in newborn babies surviving intensive care. Asphyxia, with its attendant hypotension, is the most common cause of this problem and may result in neuropathological changes in the periventricular white matter. Previous studies have demonstrated uncoupling of cerebral blood flow and metabolism in the periventricular white matter regions of newborn beagle pups exposed to hemorrhagic hypotension. This work examines the effects of hypotension on serum and regional cerebral prostaglandin levels in the newborn beagle pup. The animals were anesthetized, tracheostomized, and paralyzed. Pups were randomly assigned to two groups: one was subjected to hemorrhagic hypotension and the other received no insult. Hypotension was induced by slow venous hemorrhage calculated to maintain a mean arterial blood pressure at 20 to 30 mm Hg. Serum prostaglandin determinations were made immediately before and 15 minutes after random assignment to hypotension or control groups. In addition, regional cerebral prostaglandin determinations were performed 15 minutes after randomization. Analysis of the serum prostaglandin data revealed that there were no significant differences in the values for thromboxane B2 or 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha, which are the stable breakdown products of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin, respectively. Prostaglandin E2 levels increased in response to hemorrhagic hypotension insult. Regional cerebral prostaglandin determinations demonstrated decreases in thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in both gray and white matter. Although gray matter PGE2 was increased in pups exposed to hemorrhagic hypotension, this increase was not found in the periventricular white matter of injured pups. This regional difference in PGE2 synthesis in response to insult may explain the periventricular white matter neuropathological changes attributed to it.

Objectives and outcome of perinatal care

Great advances in perinatal care during the past two decades have been accompanied by reduced mortality rates in progressively lower birthweight groups. Continuing effort may be warranted by these improved results or by the need to preserve human life, yet rising costs in terms of disability, stress on parents and attendants, and financial resources raise questions about the value and justification of such effort. If rational policies are to be formulated for the future, accurate data based on planned population studies are essential. Perinatal care is only one of the determinants of outcome--environmental influences are also important and must be taken into account. Resources should be directed to improving the sociocultural environment as well as the standards of perinatal care.

Beagle puppy model of perinatal cerebral infarction. Acute changes in cerebral blood flow and metabolism during hemorrhagic hypotension

Asphyxia, with its attendant hypotension, is by far the most common cause of neonatal cerebral infarction and frequently results in lesions of the parieto-occipital white matter. This study examines the effects of hypotension on regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU), and serum prostaglandin levels in newborn beagle pups. The animals (24 to 96 hours old) were anesthetized, tracheotomized, and paralyzed. Pups were randomly divided into two groups: one was subjected to hemorrhagic hypotension and the other received no insult. Hypotension was induced by slow venous hemorrhage to maintain a mean arterial blood pressure of 20 to 30 mm Hg. Autoradiographic determinations of LCGU using carbon-14 (14C)-2-deoxyglucose were performed 45 minutes after randomization to groups. Autoradiographic determinations of CBF were performed using 14C-iodoantipyrine on a second group of pups 15 minutes after randomization. Prostaglandins were measured immediately before and 15 minutes after insult or control manipulation. There were no significant differences in the values for thromboxane B2 or 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, the stable breakdown products of thromboxane A2, and prostacyclin. Prostaglandin E2 levels significantly increased in response to hemorrhagic hypotensive insult. In addition, although regional CBF was maintained in cortical and central gray matter structures during hypotension, CBF to the periventricular temporal and parietal white matter zones significantly decreased, and LCGU was increased in these same regions during hypotensive insult. The uncoupling of CBF and metabolism in these periventricular white matter regions may be responsible for the neuropathological sequelae of perinatal asphyxia.