[Neonatal Doppler velocimetry in full term small-for-gestational age newborns]

Cerebral blood flow dynamic in foetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome: Incremental value of the first segment of the anterior cerebral artery over the middle cerebral artery?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the blood flow Doppler parameters of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in foetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).

METHODS

Doppler parameters (peak systolic velocity [PSV], end-diastolic velocity [EDV], time-averaged maximum velocity [TAMXV] and pulsatility index [PI]) and biometric parameters were measured in two anatomical segments of the ACA (S1 and S2) and in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 35 HLHS foetuses and 73 gestational age-matched normal foetuses. Correlations between the cerebral artery PIs and head circumference (HC) were assessed.

RESULTS

Both EDV and TAMXV of the ACA and MCA in the HLHS group were significantly higher than in the normal group (P < .05). The PI of the ACA and MCA in the HLHS group were significantly lower than in the normal group (P < .05). ACAS1PI and ACAS2PI in the HLHS foetuses with retrograde blood flow in the aortic isthmus (AoI) were significantly lower than those of HLHS foetuses without retrograde blood flow in the AoI (P < .05). ACAS2PI was significantly lower than ACAS1PI in the HLHS foetuses with retrograde blood flow in the AoI (P = .047). The abnormal rates of ACAS1 and ACAS2 were significantly higher than that of the MCA (P < .05) in the HLHS group. The HC and biparietal diameter were significantly lower in the HLHS group than in the control group (P < .05). HC was correlated with the PIs of ACAS1, ACAS2 and the MCA in the HLHS group (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

A redistribution of foetal cerebral blood flow appeared in HLHS, and the measurement of ACA PI might provide early information on brain hypoxia.

Comparison of Umbilical Cord Milking and Delayed Cord Clamping on Cerebral Blood Flow in Term Neonates

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of umbilical cord milking (UCM) and delayed cord clamping (DCC) on cerebral blood flow in term neonates.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a teaching hospital in India during 2012 to 2013. Two hundred newborns (>36wk) were randomized to UCM and DCC groups. UCM was done on 25cm of cord length. In DCC group, clamping was delayed by 60 to 90s. Resistive Index (RI), Pulsatility Index (PI) and cerebral blood flow velocities of middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured at 24 to 48h of life.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics and hemodynamic parameters were comparable. Mean PI [1.18 (0.26)] and RI [0.65 (0.08)] in UCM group was comparable to mean PI [1.18 (0.25)] and RI [0.65 (0.08)] in DCC group. The peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity (cm/s) of blood flow in MCA for UCM group were 34.94 (11.82) and 11.71 (4.75) respectively, while in DCC group they were 37.24 (12.63) and 13.07 (4.78) (p 0.23 and 0.07) respectively. Indices among growth retarded babies were not different.

CONCLUSIONS

DCC and UCM had similar effect on cerebral blood flow velocities and Doppler indices in MCA, in term neonates.

Amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic activity and middle cerebral artery Doppler flow measurements in preterm small for gestational age infants

Amplitude-integrated encephalography (EEG) is frequently used in neonatal intensive care units to monitor brain functions. Its bedside application and easy interpretation are the most important features. Brain development of small for gestational age infants can be affected by intrauterine chronic hypoxia. The current study aimed to evaluate cerebral functions of small for gestational age infants by means of amplitude-integrated EEG. Thirty- to 34-week-old 22 small for gestational age and 27 appropriate for gestational age preterm infants were included in the study. The mode of delivery, gender, birth weight, and Apgar scores of the patients were recorded. Following middle cerebral artery mean velocity measurement with cranial Doppler at the 24th hour of birth, an amplitude-integrated EEG recording was performed on all infants, for a period of 4 to 24 hours. Small for gestational age infants had significantly higher middle cerebral artery mean velocity than appropriate for gestational age infants (21.09 ± 4.25 vs 17.8 ± 4.07; P = .029). The amplitude-integrated EEG recordings showed lower "lower border of quiet sleep" and total Burdjalov score in small for gestational age infants when compared with appropriate for gestational age infants (2.5 [1-3.25] µV vs 3 [2.75-4] µV; P = .04, 8 [6-10], 9 [9-11]; P = .04, respectively). Increased middle cerebral artery blood flow observed in small for gestational age infants might be a marker of chronic intrauterine hypoxia to which these infants were exposed. These infants demonstrated a more immature pattern of amplitude-integrated EEG.

Color doppler evaluation of the influence of type of delivery, sex, postnatal age and time post feeding on full term healthy newborns cerebral blood flow

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate with Color Doppler the influence of type of delivery, sex, postnatal age and time post feeding on full term healthy newborns cerebral blood flow. METHOD: 50 newborns were studied. The Doppler parameters, peak-systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity, pulsatility index and resistance index, were measured in the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, and basilar artery. The data were compared and analyzed by statistical tests. Informed consent was obtained from all parents, and the study was approved by institutional ethical committee and review board. RESULTS: We observed not statistically significant differences on cerebral blood flow Doppler parameters in relation to type of delivery, sex, postnatal age and feeding in full term healthy newborns. CONCLUSION: We believe that the knowledge of these cerebral hemodynamic profile of newborns in the first days of life can contribute in an accurate interpretation of cranial Doppler abnormal findings when pathologic flow velocities are analyzed.

[Relation between the resistance index obtained by the transfontanellar Doppler ultrasonography and the neurological development until the first year of life in term infants with mild or moderate hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relation between the resistance index (RI) obtained by transfontanellar Doppler ultrasonography, and the neurodevelopment until one year of life, at term newborns with mild or moderate hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy due to intrapartum asphyxia.

METHOD

20 term newborns, with mild or moderate hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, high values of resistance index in the first exam, and without cerebral morfologic abnormalities or other diseases. They were submitted to serial bimonthly transfontanellar Doppler ultrasonography, from the seventh day of life on, and monthly clinical neurodevelopment assessment until one year of life.

RESULTS

There was a progressive normalization of RI values until the last examination. In five cases there were clinical neurologic normalization in the neonatal period after the first Doppler exam. Fifteen infants presented neurologic abnormalities, with normalization after the second trimester of life.

CONCLUSION

There was a relation between the normal RI values with the normalization of the clinical assessment.