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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Perfusion index in the very preterm infant
Meredith Kinoshita1, Colin Patrick Hawkes, C Anthony Ryan
1School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|June 19, 2013
Summary
Perfusion Index (PI) measurement is reproducible in preterm newborns. PI values were highest in the right upper limb, likely due to circulatory changes during the transitional period.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Perinatal medicine
- Circulatory assessment
Background:
- Perfusion Index (PI) quantifies peripheral circulation.
- Assessing circulatory status in newborns is critical.
- PI may aid in evaluating newborn circulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess the reproducibility of Perfusion Index measurements.
- Determine differences in PI between upper and lower limbs in preterm newborns (<32 weeks GA).
- Evaluate PI during the transitional period in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Perfusion Index was measured in preterm infants (<32 weeks GA) within 48 hours of birth.
- Reproducibility was tested by repeated probe placement on the same limb.
- Simultaneous measurements were taken from upper and lower limbs over 5 minutes.
Main Results:
- High reproducibility of PI measurements was observed (ICC = 0.982).
- Right upper limb PI readings were consistently higher than lower limb readings.
- No correlation found between PI and gestational age, birth weight, or blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Perfusion Index measurement is a reproducible method for assessing peripheral perfusion in preterm neonates.
- Higher PI values in the right upper limb suggest localized circulatory variations.
- Observed limb differences in PI are likely linked to transitional circulatory adjustments in newborns.
