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Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants
11:39

Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants

Published on: March 14, 2013

Low cerebral blood flow velocity and head circumference in infants with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and

Pilvi Ilves1, Mare Lintrop, Inga Talvik

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

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|November 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) initially rises then falls in infants with severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Head circumference also decreases in these infants, indicating potential long-term effects of birth asphyxia.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal neurology
  • Pediatric cardiology
  • Perinatal medicine

Background:

  • Birth asphyxia can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in term infants.
  • Monitoring cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and head circumference provides insights into brain development and injury after asphyxia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate long-term alterations in cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and head circumference in infants following birth asphyxia.
  • To compare these changes between infants with severe HIE and those with mild-to-moderate HIE or healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) was measured in the anterior and middle cerebral, basilar, and internal carotid arteries of 83 asphyxiated and 115 healthy term infants up to 149 days.
  • Psychomotor development and head circumference were monitored for 18 months.

Main Results:

  • Infants with severe HIE exhibited elevated CBFV in the initial days post-asphyxia, peaking around 36-72 hours.
  • By 21-59 days, severe HIE infants showed significantly decreased CBFV and smaller head circumferences compared to controls.
  • Head circumference was significantly lower in severe HIE infants by 21-59 days, despite similar height.

Conclusions:

  • The initial surge in CBFV in severe HIE infants is transient.
  • A significant decrease in CBFV and head circumference develops by 21-59 days in infants with severe HIE.
  • These findings highlight the dynamic changes in cerebral hemodynamics and growth following severe birth asphyxia.
Abstract

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