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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants
Published on: March 14, 2013
Cranial Doppler resistance index measurement in preterm newborns with cerebral white matter lesion
Nayara Argollo1, Ines Lessa, Suely Ribeiro
1Faculdade Ruy Barbosa, Salvador, BA, Brasil. nayaraargollo@uol.com.br
Insights
Abnormal resistance index (RI) in newborns with cerebral white matter lesions (WML) within 72 hours is linked to complications. However, RI did not correlate with fatal outcomes, highlighting its importance in monitoring infant WML.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Neurology
- Pediatric Radiology
- Cerebrovascular Research
Background:
- Cerebral white matter lesions (WML) are a significant concern in neonates.
- Assessing blood flow dynamics in the neonatal brain is crucial for predicting outcomes.
- The resistance index (RI) is a non-invasive Doppler ultrasound parameter reflecting vascular resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the resistance index (RI) measured within the first 72 hours of life in newborns with cerebral white matter lesions (WML) correlates with adverse WML outcomes.
- To evaluate the predictive value of RI for complications and prognosis in neonatal WML.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of newborn infants diagnosed with WML via cranial ultrasound.
- Selection of infants with available Doppler imaging for Resistance Index (RI) measurement.
- Categorization of infants into low (<0.61), normal (0.61-0.85), or high (>0.85) RI groups, with stratification by birth weight.
Main Results:
- Abnormal RI (68.7%) was common, with most cases showing low RI (62.7%).
- Among infants with low RI, 35.7% experienced adverse outcomes, including cerebral atrophy (23.8%) and intraventricular hemorrhage (11.9%).
- All four infants with high RI had adverse outcomes, primarily intraventricular hemorrhage (75%).
Conclusions:
- Abnormal RI within 72 hours of birth is associated with healing complications in neonatal cerebral WML.
- Resistance index (RI) was not correlated with a fatal outcome in this cohort.
- RI measurement is an important parameter for monitoring newborn infants with WML.
Objective:
To investigate whether the resistance index (RI) within the first 72 hours of life of newborn infants with cerebral white matter lesion (WML) is correlated with the adverse outcome of WML.
Methods:
Retrospective study. Newborn infants with WML were identified based on cranial ultrasound results, and those with Doppler imaging and RI measurement were selected. The newborn infants were placed in three groups: low (< 0.61), normal (0.61-0.85) or high (> 0.85) RI. The sample was analyzed as a whole at first and then stratified according to birth weight.
Results:
According to the RI, cerebral blood flow was abnormal in 46 (68.7%) patients, low in 42 (62.7%), and high in four (6%). Among those with a low RI, 15 (35.7%) had an adverse outcome, with ultrasonographic signs of cerebral atrophy in 10 (23.8%) and intraventricular hemorrhage in five (11.9%) patients. The four newborn infants with a high RI also had an adverse outcome, one (25%) with signs of cerebral atrophy and three (75%) with intraventricular hemorrhage. No statistically significant differences were observed between RI groups and the group with a fatal outcome.
Conclusion:
The study showed that abnormal RI within the first 72 hours was associated with healing complications in newborn infants with cerebral WML. Abnormal RI results were not correlated with the fatal outcome. Therefore, RI is an important parameter that should be measured in newborn infants.
