[Rheo-encephalographic studies for establishing of normal values in premature and newborn infants]

In order to assess the general condition of premature infants and newborn children and to forecast their development, we apply, apart from clinical examination methods, non-invasive procedures. Since ultrasonic diagnosis and computer tomography are generally not available at the bedside, the rheoencephalography method (measurement of the electroconductivity on the basis of a medium-frequency alternating current input of low amperage) may be used to evaluate cerebral haemodynamic alterations. In two test groups (32nd to 36th week of pregnancy and 37th to 40th week of pregnancy) of 20 subjects each, rheoencephalograms were recorded as case controls on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 9th day of life. The recorded values were then assessed according to mathematical and form-analytical criteria. In addition, the rheoencephalograms were compared with those obtained in 20 adults without vascular problems. The values obtained in both test groups show to some extent that there are cerebral haemodynamic regulation mechanisms conditioned by development. The values of basic resistance and amplitude obtained in test group 1 (32nd to 36th week of pregnancy) indicate blood flow characteristics that are worse than those established in the group of the full-term newborn children. Whereas the relative pulse volume and crest time values in adults and both test groups are nearly identical, the values of basic resistance, amplitude and relative crest time in adults are highly significantly different from the corresponding values in premature infants and newborn children.