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Updated: May 20, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Intestinal hemodynamics and oxygenation in the perinatal period
Hala Chaaban1, Barbara S Stonestreet
1Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Insights
Neonatal gut growth requires significant blood flow and oxygen. This review examines how intestinal blood flow and oxygenation are regulated in newborns, aiding understanding of gut pathologies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Gastrointestinal physiology
- Vascular biology
Background:
- The neonatal gastrointestinal tract has high metabolic and growth activity.
- This requires substantial oxygen and blood supply.
- Understanding regulation is key to preventing neonatal gut pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms regulating intestinal blood flow and oxygenation in fetuses and newborns.
- To cover normal physiological states and pathological stress.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies.
- Synthesis of data on fetal and neonatal intestinal vascular regulation.
Main Results:
- Intestinal vascular perfusion is tightly regulated to meet metabolic demands.
- Pathological conditions can significantly impair intestinal oxygenation.
- Specific regulatory pathways are crucial for maintaining gut health.
Conclusions:
- Adequate intestinal blood flow and oxygenation are critical for neonatal gut development.
- Dysregulation contributes to neonatal intestinal diseases.
- Further research into regulatory mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
The neonatal gastrointestinal tract is a site of intense anabolic and metabolic activity, as it is responsible for the assimilation of nutritional intake and exhibits accelerated growth shortly after birth. The hypermetabolic state of the gastrointestinal tract requires sufficient blood flow and oxygen delivery to sustain adequate oxygen consumption to meet these metabolic needs. Therefore, an understanding of the mechanisms regulating intestinal vascular perfusion in the normal state and during pathophysiological conditions in the perinatal period is important to elucidate potential contributions to the development of intestinal pathologies in the neonate. The goal of this review is to summarize the available literature on the regulation of intestinal blood flow and oxygenation in the fetus and newborn in normal states and during pathological stress.
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