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Developmental changes in cerebral and visceral blood flow velocity in healthy neonates and infants

Pilvi Ilves1, Mare Lintrop, Inga Talvik

  • 1Radiology Service, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia. pilvi.ilves@kliinikum.ee

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine : Official Journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
|January 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Blood flow velocity (BFV) in infant cerebral and visceral arteries significantly increases throughout the first few months of life. Blood pressure influences visceral BFV in the first day, but not cerebral BFV.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Pediatric vascular assessment

Background:

  • Understanding normal circulatory development in infants is crucial for identifying potential health issues.
  • Doppler blood flow velocity (BFV) measurements provide key insights into vascular function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate changes in Doppler blood flow velocity (BFV) in cerebral and visceral arteries during infancy.

Main Methods:

  • BFV was measured in 37 healthy term neonates.
  • Investigated arteries included anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), basilar artery, internal carotid artery (ICA), celiac artery (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and renal artery (RA).

Main Results:

  • BFV increased significantly in cerebral arteries, SMA, and CA within the first 24 hours of life.
  • By 21-59 days, mean BFV doubled in all investigated arteries compared to the first 12 hours.
  • A positive correlation between blood pressure (BP) and BFV was observed in the renal artery (RA) and SMA during the first day.

Conclusions:

  • Cerebral and visceral BFV normally increase significantly throughout infancy.
  • Visceral BFV is influenced by BP changes in the early neonatal period.
Abstract

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