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Updated: May 20, 2026
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Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Peripheral microcirculation is affected during therapeutic hypothermia in newborns
Ebru Ergenekon1, Ibrahim Hirfanoğlu, Serdar Beken
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Newborn Medicine, Gazi University Hospital, Yesilyurt Sokak 19/9 Cankaya, Ankara 06690, Turkey. ebru_ergenekon@hotmail.com
Summary
Therapeutic hypothermia, a common treatment for newborns with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, temporarily impairs peripheral microcirculation. This effect resolves upon re-warming, indicating a need for further clinical impact research.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Physiology
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Therapeutic hypothermia is a standard treatment for neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.
- Cerebral metabolic effects of hypothermia are well-documented.
- Acute effects on peripheral microcirculation remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of therapeutic hypothermia on peripheral microcirculation in newborns.
- To assess changes in microvascular flow index (MFI) and sluggish flow during and after hypothermia treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized side-stream dark field (SDF) imaging to assess peripheral microcirculation.
- Compared microcirculation in seven newborns undergoing selective head-cooling with seven normothermic controls.
- Analyzed SDF video recordings at 34°C during hypothermia and 37°C post-re-warming.
Main Results:
- Peripheral microcirculation showed sluggish flow during therapeutic hypothermia compared to controls.
- Microvascular flow index (MFI) and the percentage of vessels with sluggish flow normalized after re-warming.
- SDF imaging provided real-time assessment of microcirculatory changes.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic hypothermia transiently affects peripheral microcirculation in newborns.
- Microcirculatory changes normalized upon re-warming, suggesting a reversible effect.
- Further research is needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.
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